Last updated at 22:27, Thursday, 11 March 2010

A STAINBURN School pupil is leading an online campaign to make Workington North station permanent.

Sam Parker, 15, started a Facebook campaign, called Make Workington North Permanent!

He is urging people to sign a petition and make comments on why they want the temporary station near Dunmail Park to remain.

Sam said: “I live in Workington and have friends in Seaton. The train makes it so easy to visit them.

“Even if you had to pay something it would be worth it. All my friends want to keep the station and the shuttle trains.”

The Facebook group has more than 500 members, and more than 40 people have added their names to the petition.

Meanwhile, the Copeland Rail Users Group has thrown its weight behind moves to retain the temporary station and shuttle services, which were introduced after the collapse of Workington’s bridges during last November’s flood.

Group chairman Tony Potts said that Asda’s proposed move into Dunmail Park strengthened the case.

The group has written to Network Rail, Northern Rail and the Department for Transport.

Last week both Network Rail and Northern Rail indicated that they had no immediate plans to retain the service after the end of April and said that a robust business case would be needed before they would consider anything permanent.

First published at 19:26, Thursday, 11 March 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk