PROGRESS is being made steadily but surely in the crusade to bring the antiquated rail and transport links in south Cumbria into the 21st century.

At a meeting of the Cumbria Better Connected group, chaired by Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock, local stakeholders met to give the last update before the end of 2017.

Officials from Northern informed local officials that in the New Year the current fleet of ageing trains would be bolstered with class 68 trains, and newer diesel locomotives midway through 2018.

Mr Woodock said: "Our time has been demanded by the ongoing terrible performance of the existing rolling stock that we have, the locomotive class 37s that we have."

The MP intended to open the meeting with an update from Northern representatives. However, in an ironic turn of events they were delayed getting to Ulverston because of a broken down train.

When they did arrive, Craig Harrop, director for Northern Rail, said that modernisation of the stock on the Furness, Lakes, and west Cumbria line was progressing.

He said: "We are refurbishing the old trains that we are keeping - 67 of those currently. We have 98 new trains being built as we speak. The first will be up in January for testing."

Alongside Mr Woodcock was Lib Dem MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, Tim Farron, and Calum Nicholson, representing Copeland MP Trudy Harrison.

Mr Farron welcomed the continued discussion on improving rail links, pointing out that with the new World Heritage Status of the Lake District, even more tourists would be reliant on transport to Cumbria.

He said: "It's important for us not to overlook what World Heritage Status will mean for us. The potential to get an enormous increase in visitors from outside the UK."

In spite of positive updates being given to the CBC group, which included members of the county, district, and local town councils, there was still dissatisfaction at the quality of service.

Leader of SLDC Cllr Giles Archibald said it was "unacceptable" that there were no consequences for Northern when trains were delayed or cancelled.

"What are the consequences? If I were to make a contract and not meet expectations there must be consequences."

It was highlighted that generally Northern met its targets, but that performing well in some areas could outweigh poor results in south Cumbria.

Mr Farron said: "If it was only about the three lines in south Cumbria, Northern would be in breach."