CUMNOCK residents could be offered a lifeline in the town’s on-going Glasgow bus dispute.

East Ayrshire Council revealed they are in talks to bring back the service after Stagecoach axed their bus last year.

Residents have been left feeling cut off and stranded after the X76 was cancelled and replaced by ‘nightmare unreliable connections’.

The town does not have a train station and those who do not drive rely heavily on bus services.

Now the council are reviewing transport links within the community after some residents confessed they struggle to see family due to limited services.

Although East Ayrshire Council could not confirm if the ‘life-changing service’ will definitely return they did say they didn't rule out the option.

Katie Kelly, Depute Chief Executive, Safer Communities said: “ For some time East Ayrshire Council has been working closely with Coalfield Community Transport and Stagecoach to ensure that local bus services meet the needs of our communities.

“Following the recent amendment to the Transport Bill at the Scottish Parliament, and the motion recently passed at council, we can confirm that we are considering how existing services can be improved at a local level.

“As part of this we will also be looking at provision throughout East Ayrshire to make sure that all areas within our communities get better access to transport.”

Bus giant Stagecoach insist there is no demand for a direct service to Glasgow from Cumnock despite more than 500 people signing a petition begging for it to come back.

Residents told the Chronicle they have been put off leaving Cumnock as connections usually run late, are uncomfortable, and in some cases have left passengers stranded in Kilmarnock.

One NHS worker told us how she relied on the bus and how without the service she could be late and put pressures on her colleagues.

A pensioner also told us how she misses her family as she doesn’t get to visit them as much without the direct service.

Now, if the council goes ahead with its proposals, that damage could be reversed.

Stagecoach refused to comment.