To accommodate longer trains, platforms at five railway stations in Cumbria are to be extended in a £9.5m investment.

Work has already started work at Oxenholme, with Staveley, Kents Bank, Dalton, and Ulverston stations to follow over the next three months. All work is scheduled to be completed by December.

The work is to prepare the stations for longer trains between Manchester and Cumbria, to provide extra seats for passengers travelling to the Lake District and south Cumbria.

Passengers will largely be unaffected by the work, although the following closures will be necessary whilst the extensions to take place. Rail-replacement bus services will be provided during the railway closures.

On 17th and 18th September:

• Kents Bank station will be closed.

On Sunday, 2nd and Sunday, 23rd October.:

• No trains will stop at Staveley.

From 8th to 16th October 2022:

• The line between Ulverston and Barrow in Furness will be closed.

Passengers intending to travel on the affected dates are advised to check the National Rail website before they travel at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Simon Daly, sponsor at Network Rail, said:

“This work, and Northern’s planned roll out of longer trains, is crucial to increasing capacity on rail services between Cumbria, Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

“Rail travel is one of the greenest forms of transport in the UK. We want to encourage people to travel by rail – whether they’re going to work, visiting friends, or going on holiday to these fantastic destinations.”

Chris Jackson, regional director for Northern, said:

“We welcome the commencement of these works and the improvement to the customer experience they will bring for passengers using our services to explore the Lake District. It is always important to invest in rail infrastructure to ensure we can keep the region moving, getting people from where they are to where they want to be.”

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow in Furness, said:

“I’m delighted that this work is going ahead. Anyone who uses our trains either pre or post-school, or on a Friday evening or weekend knows just how busy it can get – often with standing room only. This £4.5million investment will provide the extra capacity we so badly need.”

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said:

“I think this is good news for the residents and businesses in Staveley who so rely on public transport to bring in tourists every year.

“This funding is a positive step in the right direction, and I am keen to work with Network Rail, the train operators and the Department for Transport so that we continue to improve the station so it will be accessible and welcoming for everyone.”