Exclusive:ScotRail doubles journey time on 'vital' route by switching passengers to buses rather than diverting trains
Former rail chief criticises failure to use alternative route during £13.5 million Kilmarnock track upgrade
A former chair of ScotRail has condemned “unwelcome” plans to switch passengers to buses for 75 miles during engineering work when trains could be diverted instead.
Chris Gibb said the 16-day closure of most of the Glasgow-Dumfries line came as the latest setback for the “forgotten” railways of south west Scotland, where train speeds and frequency had been cut.
The decision to use replacement buses, which will double journey times to three hours, came despite track body Network Rail Scotland describing it as a “vital rail route”.
Mr Gibb, who was also chief executive of ScotRail parent body Scottish Rail Holdings until 2023, spoke out after a major upgrade of the line in Kilmarnock was announced by Network Rail that will close the route between Barrhead and Dumfries from August 29 to September 14.
He said ScotRail trains could be diverted instead via the Glasgow-Ayr line and then east to Mauchline to rejoin the Dumfries line south of Kilmarnock, with no increase in journey time.
Mr Gibb told The Scotsman: “Whilst the maintenance work at Kilmarnock should be welcomed by passengers, the two-week suspension of train services on the only route between Dumfries and Glasgow, and replacement with buses, will be unwelcome.
“There is a perfectly good alternative rail route linking Newton-on-Ayr and Mauchline that has been used before and would permit direct train services between Dumfries and Glasgow to continue.
“It’s a pity today’s ‘joined up’ Scotland’s Railway finds it easier to hire buses for everyone than divert trains.”
Mr Gibb said the south west had been “forgotten” by ScotRail and Transport Scotland.
He said: “If this had been in the Central Belt, a diversionary route would be used, but for the neglected south west passengers, a bus will do.”
He said over the last 40 years, the Dumfries line had been reduced from 90mph to 75mph, with trains cut to every two hours and only three on Sundays.
Mr Gibb also criticised the lack of progress with signalling improvements to speed up trains on the Glasgow-Stranraer line, and to move Stranraer Station from the harbour to the town centre, 15 years after the Northern Ireland ferries it connected with moved to Cairnryan.
Network Rail Scotland said diverting trains via the Ayr line would require timetable changes across Ayrshire, “potentially resulting in greater disruption for passengers overall”.
It said drivers would also need to be trained on the diversion route.
Network Rail said the £13.5 million work was to “improve journey times and reliability” by modernising the track layout at Kilmarnock Station that slows trains down from 60mph to 20mph, which will be replaced by a 40mph limit.
However, it later clarified that the risk of delays, rather than scheduled journey times, would be reduced.
Its spokesperson said: “The work removes the restraint currently extending journey times on approach to Kilmarnock, rather than shortening the scheduled journeys on the timetable.”
"The improvements are part of our ongoing investment to maintain, renew and strengthen the railway across the south west of Scotland.
“More than £1m was also invested on the Stranraer line in November, delivering drainage upgrades, level crossing improvements and infrastructure inspections to help make the route more resilient to severe weather and ensure it remains a reliable transport link for the communities and businesses that depend on it.
“Projects like these are an important part of looking after the railway and ensuring it remains fit for the years ahead.
“While we appreciate the disruption that engineering work can cause in the short term, carrying out these upgrades helps maintain a safe, reliable and resilient railway long into the future.”
ScotRail said its trains were not cleared to operate between Newton-on-Ayr and Mauchline to ensure there was enough space between them, rail infrastructure and other trains.
Service delivery director Mark Ilderton said: “While this work will mean some temporary disruption, it is a vital investment in the long-term future of this important route.
“Our focus on helping customers travel with confidence throughout the works, with clear information available in advance and a robust rail replacement transport plan in place along the route.”
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