HS2 direct rail service to Cumbria supports Lake District tourism

The proposed high-speed direct rail service connecting passengers travelling between Carlisle and London will support the Lake District’s 2040 Vision for Visitor Travel.

Current plans for HS2 include work at Carlisle station that will enable HS2 trains to stop there, and reduce journey times between Carlisle and London by almost an hour. This will enable more people to access Cumbria’s unique tourism offer, which supports the National Park’s economic growth and sustainable travel ambitions.

Tourism is vital to the region’s economy, but changing the way the growing number of people travel to and around the Lakes is integral to reducing carbon emissions and protecting its natural heritage.

A direct, high-speed rail link supports the drive to get more people out of cars, off planes and onto rail, in line with the UK government’s target to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. It also supports the National Park’s ambition for 50 per cent more visitors to arrive by rail.

“HS2 will revolutionise the way we travel around Britain,” commented Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2 Ltd. “High-speed rail connections will make it easier for people to travel to their favourite destinations and provide a cleaner, greener way to do it.”

HS2 will offer some of the lowest carbon emissions per passenger kilometre – seven times less than passenger cars and 17 times less than domestic air travel. 

As well as delivering a cleaner travel solution, HS2 will provide the quickest mode of travel between the capital and Carlisle. It will slice almost an hour off the current fastest journey time by rail, reducing it down to just two hours and 23 minutes.

Welcoming the plans, Jim Walker, Chairman of Cumbria Tourism, said: “HS2 will provide a real step change for Cumbria and our visitor economy. With further improvements to public transport and increased sustainable travel provision in County, visitors will be able to visit and enjoy our world class landscapes in the most environmentally friendly way. These improvements will protect the tourism economy of the County, in turn sustaining our communities for generations to come.”