A shifting of boundaries has reinvigorated the campaign to restore the railway line between Penrith and Keswick. In April 2023, Cumbria County Council and the district councils were replaced by two unitary authorities. The county council had been cool on proposals. The line now primarily lies in Liberal Democrat controlled Westmorland and Furness.
Changes to Westminster boundaries have brought the line within the boundaries of a target seat for Tim Farron, whose current Westmorland seat is being changed. In addition, the Penrith and Solway seat will encompass both Penrith and Keswick, which is expected to be a conservative target.