STAFF at Ayr station will soon have a new base as part of the first phase of significant improvements set to benefit passengers.

Network Rail are set to invest £1.3 million to improve Ayr station.

A new accommodation block to work from to replace the no longer habitable portacabins which have been in the station car park since early 2019, after the station was served with a dangerous building notice by the council, due to the crumbling Hotel.

Work on the accommodation block is being done first to free up the platform one area for what will be a future phase of investment to construct a new station entrance and will include a ticket office and waiting area with customer toilets.

The installation of a new modular block to the east of the station; opposite platform four, will provide staff with a fully functioning base, independent of the original station building.

It will serve as a booking-on point for drivers and host general welfare facilities for all station-based staff.

The location of the new block means that work can be progressed without the need to close the line at any point. It will also enable the removal of portacabins to free up parking spaces.

Richard Kinsella, Network Rail’s route asset manager overseeing the Ayr station works, said: “The first phase of work to create the staff accommodation will free-up space on the platform one side of the station to allow future enhancements that will benefit passengers and improve the area to serve as a gateway more befitting the town.”

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