MSP says “extended closure will cause havoc for Dumfriesshire commuters”

Joan McAlpine MSP has said rail commuters will react with dismay to news that the Lamington Viaduct will remain closed until March.  Ms McAlpine expressed concern at the impact that an extended closure will have on the people of Dumfriesshire and has asked the train operators to reconsider their decision to run the West Coast mainline through Dumfries without stopping there.

 

She said: “It is good for the West coast mainline that additional trains will be routed via Dumfries. But they do not stop at Dumfries, and they are causing delays to the trains that DO stop at Dumfries! 

 

“I have previously called on Virgin to consider stopping some of their services at Dumfries to meet the needs of local commuters, like they do in Kilmarnock.  I understand safety, training and timetable issues have prevented this happening before. With the extended closure I will now call on them again to look at whether additional Dumfries stops are possible on this route.”

 

“My office has received numerous complaints from constituents whose daily routines have been affected by changes to rail services caused by the closure of the Lamington Viaduct, in particular commuters who use Lockerbie train station who come from Nithsdale as well as Annandale and Eskdale.

“Dumfries and Galloway is already very poorly served by rail services, and Virgin’s route alternations appear to be having a negative impact on this region. While safety has to come first, I am concerned that this extended closure will cause havoc for Dumfriesshire commuters.”