Two leading Conservatives at either end of the Lakes Line have expressed concerns over the disruption to local people as a result of proposed strike action called by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) on Monday 13 March.
The action has been called by the union ahead of proposed changes by Northern Rail to the roles of staff on trains.
Conservatives Councillor Ben Berry in Windermere and Andrew Lucas in Kendal will both be standing for their communities at either end of the Lakes Line in the Cumbria County Council elections on 4 May. They are particularly concerned about the impact strike action will have on businesses and schoolchildren.
Ben Berry says: “Strike action when Northern Rail are at least 12 months from confirming their plans seems particularly unjust. Andrew Lucas and I request that Northern Rail and RMT do everything possible to ensure that this strike action is avoided as the disruption to local people and local businesses could be significant.”
Andrew Lucas says: “Ben Berry and I have invited Northern Rail to meet with us in Kendal next Tuesday to fully understand their plans. We are also keen to meet with local leaders of the RMT union to impress upon them the disruption this will cause. Many children who use the rail service every day to get to school. In advance of important exams such disruption is particularly unfair.”