The Department for Transport (DfT) has outlined plans to electrify the Windermere branch line in Cumbria.

A ten-mile stretch of track that runs between Oxenholme Lake District station on the West Coast Main Line and Windermere station in the National Park will be transformed at a cost of £16 million.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin hopes the project will eventually pave the way for faster, more reliable services to Kendal, Burneside and Staveley direct from Manchester by 2016.

The Lake District is one of the UK's most important tourist hotspots and Mr McLoughlin thinks it should be as accessible as possible.

"I believe the rail industry has a role in making sure more people can travel comfortably to enjoy the beautiful lakes," he commented.

Network Rail is looking to electrify swathes of the nation's railways and has set aside a significant pot of money to ensure necessary works can be completed. 

The north-west of England will feature heavily in these plans, with the Manchester to Liverpool and Manchester to Bolton routes set to be modernised within the next three of four years.