Coaches to replace trains for National
Punters will face a near 20 minute walk to Ayr Racecourse from a temporary bus station during the Scottish National.
Contingency plans have been revealed for the showpiece event set to take centre stage in a fortnight.
ScotRail will put on extra shuttle buses from Prestwick Town to Allison Street in Ayr.
The service is expected to ferry tens of thousands of racegoers who will pile into Ayr on Saturday, April 20 for the major festival.
It comes as Ayr railway station remains locked down due to ongoing works at the Station Hotel.
The Post previously told how delays had dogged the demolition job on the Victorian relic, after further damage was discovered in the northern section of the fire-ravaged building.
Council chiefs are still unable to provide an update on exactly when cranes will be told to stand down, after revealing their planned exit day of March had been extended into April.
It has left Network Rail and ScotRail anxiously waiting for the day they can get the full power back on the main line to resume normal service, with electric trains not used on the line since last September’s devastating inferno.
It has now been confirmed that trains won’t be restarting before the Scottish Grand National, with travel operator ScotRail forced to take action.
A replacement bus will secure a direct link from Prestwick Town to Allison Street, in Ayr, which is approximately a further 18 minute walk to the Racecourse, with Ayr Station a 23 minute trek for punters.
The full operational details and timings have yet to be released, but chiefs say buses will run from 10am right up until 9pm.
Scott Prentice, ScotRail Strategic Planning Director, said: “With Ayr station still closed to the public, ScotRail is only able to operate a small number of trains between Prestwick Town and Ayr.
“However, we know how much of a positive impact the Scottish Grand National has on the local economy, and we are doing everything we can to support the expected increase in people travelling.
“To help with this, ScotRail is planning to run buses throughout the day of the race, operating between Prestwick Town station, and Allison Street, Ayr from 10am until 9pm.
“The full plan is still being worked through, and we will communicate the details as soon as possible.”
We are doing everything we can to support the expected increase in people travelling.