Next PM must invest in West Coast Main Line upgrade, Tim Farron tells ministers

On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Tim Farron challenged ministers to commit to upgrading the West Coast Main Line through the long-delayed TriLink scheme.

Speaking during Treasury Questions on transport connectivity for border communities, Tim warned that the vital project, which would improve rail links between Warrington and the Scottish Border, has been deferred for years by successive governments.

He said the failure to invest in the line had left communities across Cumbria and the North West waiting for the safer, more reliable railway they need, and called on the next Prime Minister to make the upgrade a priority.

Tim said: “The TriLink scheme, which connects North West England with the South of Scotland and upgrades the West Coast Main Line - the busiest railway line in western Europe - has been deferred by this Government and their predecessors for years. 

“This very likely contributed to the near-fatal derailment at Shap just a few months ago. 

“Does the Minister think that the right honourable member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham) believes that the North West of England exists beyond the M62, and if he does, will he invest in upgrading the railway line, for the good of everyone in England and Scotland?”

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, replied: “My right honourable friend the member for Makerfield will speak for himself, but I am confident that his view is that growth extends far beyond the area that the honourable gentleman referred to.

“Most importantly, this Government’s approach is to ensure that growth can be generated right across the country, rather than in just a few postcodes.”