Seats boost on trains Outreach surgeries

Extra carriages are being made available on trains covering Monklands routes on the next two Friday nights and weekends before Christmas.

Scotrail is adding extra carriages to its busiest services, including Balloch to Airdrie, Dalmuir and Milngavie to Whifflet and the Helensburgh to Edinburgh line which runs through Coatbridge and Airdrie – for the Christmas party and shopping season.

The train operator also says the last trains of the day on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay will depart earlier than normal, there will as usual be no trains on Christmas and New Year’s days, and there will be changes to train times over the festive period which are detailed at www.scotrail. co.uk/christmas.

Head of customer operations Phil Campbell said: “The lead-up to Christmas is always a busy time, so we’re adding more seats on key routes to help everyone get where they want to be, whether heading to the Christmas markets, a night out, or just picking up presents.

“Trains will be busier than usual so we encourage people to plan their journey in advance and make sure they have their ticket before boarding.” The team at Airdrie Citizens Advice Bureau have announced they will be on hand at a series of locations across the town to run outreach surgeries.

Sessions get off and running on Mondays at University Hospital Monklands, alternating between full and half days each week.

Further surgeries take place on Tuesdays at Plains community centre from 10am until 12 noon and Caldercruix community centre from 1pm to 3pm (except the fourth Tuesday of the month).

Wednesdays see a weekly meeting held in Salsburgh community centre from 10am until noon.

A spokesperson for the bureau said: “We offer advice on benefits, housing, debt, homelessness and relationship issues.

“The service is free, independent, impartial and confidential and all are welcome to attend our surgeries.”

For further information on the surgeries, and the bureau’s other services, which include drop-in sessions, call 01236 754109 or visit www.airdriecab.co.uk/ Please post me free & without obligation full details of the Alta2 Pro hearing aid. Tick if pensioner.