The Scottish Government should commit to the electrification of the rail network in the south of Scotland, according to an Ayrshire MSP. 

South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has repeatedly questioned why the plans for electrification of the railway exclude many parts of the network, including the stretch between Girvan and Stranraer.

ScotRail recently announced that replacement bus services will operate between Kilmarnock and Glasgow from 24 June for SIX WEEKS while work is being carried out on the Barrhead to Glasgow electrification project.

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Mr Smyth said: “While this work is going to cause local people serious disruption for six weeks, at least this is one part of the rail network which is undergoing electrification.

“I have repeatedly called on the Scottish Government to go further and commit to full electrification in the south of Scotland but ministers have refused.

“It is especially frustrating that the Girvan to Stranraer stretch has been ignored.

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“There are genuine fears over what that means for the long-term commitment to routes that have already faced significant cuts in services since the pandemic.

“Surely, we need a long-term commitment to a rolling programme of electrification going up to 2035 and beyond, until we get 100 per cent electrification of the network.

“I will continue to press for a full electrification of the rail network across the south of Scotland and I will ensure that my constituency is not left behind.”