MP warns of a huge blow to the Cumbrian tourism industry unless HS2 stops in the county

Local MP Tim Farron has written to the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to make the case for HS2 trains to stop in the county.

Currently the high-speed trains from London are set to pass through the county without stopping, meaning passengers on the West Coast Main Line will have to change at Preston to get to Oxenholme, Penrith and Carlisle.

New figures from the Office for Rail and Road showed that well over half a million people have used Oxenholme station in the past year.

Tim also made the case for stops in Cumbria during a recent meeting with bosses from the Rail Delivery Group, the industry's main representatives.

Tim said: "It's such a kick in the teeth for everyone in Cumbria who has helped pay for HS2 that all we will see of those fast trains is a blur as they speed through our county without even stopping.

"It remains a complete own goal for the Government that these hugely expensive high-speed trains won't be stopping at Britain's second biggest visitor destination.

"If the Government don't reconsider then this will be a huge blow to the tourism industry here in Cumbria which is so important for jobs and the local economy."