More services will resume running from a partially open Ayr station from next Monday 17 June.
The station which has been closed due to safety fears since a fire raged through the station hotel last September, making the building structurally unsafe and at fear of collapse.
Engineers from Network Rail have been carrying out the works and making repairs to the tracks and power lines which were caused by some fallen debris that did land across the lines.
While South Ayrshire Council completes its work on making the privately owned former hotel building safe and secure.
The devastating fire at the former station hotel has had a significant impact on ScotRail services in the south west of Scotland
Liam Sumpter, managing director, Network Rail
A severely reduced service between Ayr and Prestwick Town has been in operation from the only remaining open platform at Ayr.
This service has allowed passengers to still reach Glasgow. As direct trains haven’t been able to run since the hotel fire late last summer.
Thanks to the efforts of all those involved in getting everything safe and back up and running Direct trains will resume from Ayr to Glasgow will resume on Monday 17 June, with direct trains between Kilmarnock, Ayr, Girvan, and Stranraer will be back in operation by mid-July.
“Our thanks go to South Ayrshire Council for completing the critical safety work at the former Ayr Station Hotel. Our teams are working hard to have the track ready and alongside our colleagues at ScotRail we’re looking forward to welcoming passengers back to the station and on to services next week.
“We’d like to thank passengers and the Ayr community for their patience and understanding during the station closure.”
Liam Sumpter, managing director, Network Rail
“The devastating fire at the former station hotel has had a significant impact on ScotRail services in the south west of Scotland and we have worked closely and collaboratively with South Ayrshire Council, Network Rail, and other partners during this challenging period.
“We know how much people rely on rail services, so we’re pleased that from 17 June, we’ll be able to reintroduce electric services between Ayr and Glasgow and will work with Network Rail to complete all activities required to re-establish services south of Ayr due to the extended period of closure.
“We’re grateful to customers for their patience and understanding while we work towards the full return of services later in July.”
David Lister, ScotRail Safety, Sustainability & Asset Director
Responses
Now maybe a good time to examine how rail services in East and South Ayrshire can be improved, for example adding a stop at Prestwick Airport for the Kilmarnock to Ayr service and improving the frequency of that service as well. Increasing the profile of the railways in this area would go a long way instead of assuming people are just going to turn up. Prime example of this would be for resumption of Kilmarnock-Ayr-Girvan-Stranraer service after the station hotel debacle….what publicity is goong around this??