We’re in the dark on hotel say rail bosses
Warning of ‘ no firm date’ for normal train services
Rail bosses claim they are in the dark over surgery to be performed on Ayr’s Station Hotel.
ScotRail chief, Alex Hynes, insists the operator is no nearer to knowing what work will be carried out.
The admission – nine months after South Ayrshire Council slapped a warrant on the building – comes as passengers south of Ayr were given a stark outlook.
Commuters have been warned there is “no firm date” for trains out of Ayr returning to normal.
Services south to Stranraer resumed last month on a limited basis.
But officials admit they cannot guarantee when full services will resume.
Despite roping off the site since the summer, council bosses are no nearer a conclusion on what to do next.
Labour MSP Colin Smyth, member for the South of Scotland, grilled Mr Hynes at a Holyrood session last Wednesday.
He said: “Many passengers from Stranraer, Barrhill, Girvan and Maybole rely on the train services to travel for their studies and employment.
“It is accepted by everybody that there is likely to be further disruption in securing Ayr Station Hotel and any future works that are required.
“The obvious answer is to erect temporary platforms at the Townhead depot and to ensure there are train carriages on the track south of Ayr Station to minimise any future disruption.”
ScotRail, who have ruled out such an option, also refused to give any guarantees on contingency plans.
Speaking to the hearing, Mr Hynes admitted: “We still don’t understand what works need to be taken to the former Station Hotel building to make sure we can protect the railway and get the full functionality that we need, particularly access to our Ayr Townhead depot.”