Trains between Ayr and Kilmarnock are to face further disruption after the closure of the line was extended until mid-July.

The line was between Kilmarnock and Barassie was shut in early June after a sinkhole was discovered beneath the tracks.

Until today (June 30), ScotRail was warning passengers it expected disruption to last until July 3 - but the JourneyCheck website, which train operators use to keep travellers up to date with changes to services, now says disruption is preducted until July 17.

The sinkhole was described as an “unusual void” by Network Rail, who are working with experts from the Coal Authority to find its cause.

Replacement buses have been secured and are running every day, excluding Sunday. 

Trains are running as normal between Ayr, Girvan and Stranraer, between Ayr and Glasgow via Kilwinning, and between Kilmarnock and Glasgow via Barrhead.

In a statement on ScotRail's JourneyCheck page a spokesperson said: "Our response team are working with the coal authority for this area, once full assessment of the site has been carried out a plan will be put in place for repairs, therefore at present we have no estimate for the line reopening."

Ayr Advertiser:

The bus times between Ayr and Kilmarnock are as follows: 

Kilmarnock (depart): 11:24, 13:02, 15:15, 19:03, 

Troon (to Ayr): 11:48, 13:26, 15:39, 19:27 

Ayr (arrive): 12:19, 13:57, 16:10, 19:58 

Ayr (depart): 10:54, 12:30, 14:48, 16:28, 19:53 

Prestwick Town (to Troon and Kilmarnock): 16:42 

Troon (to Kilmarnock): 11:25, 13:01, 15:19, 16:59, 20:24 

Kilmarnock (arrive): 11:50, 13:26, 15:44, 17:24, 20:49 

Network Rail has been contacted for comment.