Tim Farron campaigns to reopen Shap and Tebay railway stations

On the floor of the House of Commons this week, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron asked the Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander to explore reopening train stations in Shap and Tebay.

Both stations, which were situated on the West Coast Main Line, were shut during the Beeching Cuts of the 1960s.

Speaking in Parliament during a statement about the costs and delays of the HS2 railway between London and Birmingham, Tim said: “I thank the Secretary of State for reeling off a list of depressing dates in the far future, leading all but the youngest of us to contemplate our mortality. 

“What is also depressing is the serious lack of investment in rail infrastructure in the North West, north of Manchester; it is an ongoing issue. 

“I get that HS2 has sucked up money, energy and attention, but I wonder whether the Secretary of State might seek to put that right by being creative with use of the existing main line. 

“For instance, will she work with Network Rail, me and Westmorland and Furness Council to advance the cause for reopening stations such as Shap and Tebay, ensuring massively improved public transport links for rural north Westmorland?”

Responding, Heidi Alexander said: “If the honourable gentleman would like to write to me about the case for reopening Shap and Tebay, I would gladly consider that.

“We are reopening some rail stations across the north of England. 

“The Northumberland line, which I visited at the start of last year, has been an enormous success, with new stations at places like Ashington and Blyth. 

“We are investing in rail in the north of England - that was demonstrated by our commitment to Northern Powerhouse Rail - but I am happy to look at the specifics of the scheme that he suggests.”