A transport chief believes key new rail deals will help boost Cumbria’s financial fortunes and give the county more power to control its destiny.

Contracts have been signed for the franchises that run along three of the county’s busiest routes, bringing with them promises of improved services and investment.

The signing signals the end of the line for the ageing Pacer trains – dubbed the cattle trucks of the railways – that run along some of the lines, as well as better services on the Carlisle-Sellafield and Carlisle-Newcastle routes.

Arriva Rail North Limited will run the Northern franchise, which runs along the coastal and north east routes.

The TransPennine Express route, which runs trains from Scotland through Carlisle to Manchester Airport, has been awarded to First TransPennine Express.

Both franchises will be jointly managed by Department for Transport and Rail North Limited – which represents 29 local authorities across the north, including those in Cumbria.

Sir Richard Leese, chairman of the Association of Rail North Partner Authorities, welcomed the contracts being signed following an announcement about the successful tenders earlier this month. He said: “Passengers were clear that they wanted to see a transformation including a lot more newer, better, trains running more regularly with a step change in services provided off-peak and on Sundays.”

Sir Richard believes the contracts offer wider significance for the region – with the Government planning to give more decision-making powers to the regions.

“This is another crucial move towards devolution for the north,” he added.

“Rail North will now play a major role in the management and development of both new franchises, providing an excellent platform for further development and full devolution in the future.”

Keith Little, the Cumbria county councillor responsible for transport, agrees that the deals have the potential to help improve the region’s economy and has promised to press for swift improvements to improve the “current second-class rail services” he believes the county has.

Across the north the two rail operators will oversee a £1.2bn boost to rail services with 500 new modern carriages, room for 40,000 more passengers, 2,000 extra services a week and a host of improvements to deliver a modern.

The Department for Transport says the move will help fuel the Government’s Northern Powerhouse plan – so far criticised by many in Cumbria for its lack of clear immediate impact on the county – and rebalance the national economy.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We promised passengers a world-class rail service that would make the Northern Powerhouse a reality – and I’m delighted that we have found two operators that will deliver exactly that.

“These deals and the joint management of the franchises will bring the Northern Powerhouse to life.”

The new contracts will see free wi-fi on board trains and at stations.

Chris Burchell, managing director of Arriva’s UK Trains division, said: “We will be investing more than £1bn to deliver a step-change in quality for customers.”

Rail union the RMT is, however, heavily critical of the deals.

Its leader, Mick Cash, said of the announcement: “Rather than all the garbage about the Northern Powerhouse, the announcement opens the door to years of cuts to staff and safety and to profiteering on an epic scale.”

Campaign for Better Transport chief executive Stephen Joseph welcomed the promise of upgrades.