Cumberland Council has come out in support of the reinstatement of the Penrith to Keswick railway line.
It follows support for the project also being expressed by Westmorland and Furness Council recently.
Railway line revivalists, CKP Railways Plc, recently revealed there had been a change of heart towards the project under Cumbria’s two unitary authorities.
The line between Penrith and Keswick shut 51 years ago with CKP saying it had faced reluctance for the project from Cumbria County Council.
A Cumberland Council spokesperson said in a statement: “The council is supportive of CKP Railways progressing proposals for the Keswick to Penrith Railway.”
However, the statement also seemed to suggest that existing railway line infrastructure might have to take priority over the former line.
“Cumberland Council will continue to work with Transport for North, the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Network Rail to make the case for improvements needed to the existing rail network,” the statement said.
“The council’s focus is to identify key priorities for Cumberland and present a strong and united case to decision makers, regionally and nationally.”
However, Cedric Martindale, the man behind CKP Railways, greeted the council’s statement as a “breath of fresh air”.
Mr Martindale said: “The two new unitary authorities will have key roles in enabling the Keswick to Penrith Railway project to move from a plan to reality.
“If their transport, land use and strategic plans all clearly state that a re-opened Keswick to Penrith railway (and possibly extensions) would serve a useful role in their areas, then it becomes possible.
“Permission to build and operate a new public service railway can only come from the Department for Transport, but would only be granted if local plans and policies are supportive and specific about the need for and benefits of such a route and modern train service. CKP Railways Plc looks forward to helping the new Unitary Authorities and the Lake District National Park Authority to coordinate their plans and policies to welcome a modern railway with expanded inter-regional train services which can bring a whole range of economic, environmental and social benefits to the north Lakes and the rest of Cumbria.”
