Rail safety standards 'too high'

A local rail group has said it is unnecessary for branch lines to meet the same safety standards as main lines.

The Copeland Rail Users Group is concerned that spending could be reduced on the coastal route from Carlisle via Whitehaven to Barrow

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) wants to save billions of pounds by cutting back or delaying maintenance on branch lines.

Tony Potts, from the Copeland Rail Users Group, has suggested that money could be saved by lowering safety standards, which he believes are too high.

Mr Potts said: "Do we really need to have the safety regulations on a branch line as they have for a main line railway trains doing 125mph?"

It has also been announced that a group of MPs led by Carlisle's MP Eric Martlew will meet the head of the SRA to discuss the West Coast Main line.

Mr Martlew said campaigners were worried about a proposed cut back in plans to upgrade the line.