IN Manchester, metro mayors met the Transport Secretary Mark Harper to discuss how to end 'chaos' on the region's railways. 

These were Labour mayors from West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Manchester, Liverpool and North Tyneside, which included big names such as Joanne Anderson, Tracy Brabin and Andy Burnham.

However, as Cumbria does not have a metro mayor it did not have a representative at the meeting. This is despite Cumbria being one of the worst regions in England for poor rail infrastructure, delayed trains, and slow services. 

The member for transport from Cumbria County Council Keith Little admitted that some of the rail infrastructure in the region is 'Edwardian.'

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However, he pointed to his decade-long involvement in Transport for the North, which brings local transport authorities and business leaders together with Network Rail and also works with the Government on issues related to rail strategy in the region. 

Councillor Little said: "I have been very supportive of Transport for the North. We have worked very closely with our colleagues in Lancashire and Liverpool, and we have established a relationship with colleagues in the north-east."

Councillor Little continued: "I had meetings this morning (30 November) with the Rail North Partnership on performance."

The Rail North Partnership manages Northern and TransPennine Express. 

"What we have to remember is that this is a north issue. In some areas the rail is Edwardian. We have had four or five secretaries of state, some of them have never visited us, some have visited on regular occasions."