A TROON councillor has hit out at changes to ticket office opening hours at the town's station.

SNP councillor Craig Mackay has written to ScotRail to ask them to reconsider the decision, after weekday hours were slashed.

Previously, the ticket office was open until 5.50pm Monday to Saturday, but under the new plans, it will close at 1.15pm Monday to Thursday, and at 3.30pm on Friday and Saturday.

Cllr Mackay said: "The people of Troon have had three years of disruption following the fire at the station, and it is only now that we are able to properly enjoy the facilities at the station.

"The station is central to Troon and our efforts to promote the town as a visitor destination.

"Visitors and local residents alike benefit from having a fully staffed ticket office where they can receive advice on the best tickets, as well as buying season tickets and railcards not available from the ticket machine.

"Many visitors to Troon and Ayrshire use rail services, and having restricted ticket office availability will have a detrimental effect on visitors requiring information and support.

"With regular ferries to Arran now using the Troon port, rail connections are now of key importance – this in my view will significantly increase afternoon demand for tickets.

"As a community with an aging demographic, efficient and accessible public transport is vital to support social and economic activity.

"The proposed reduction in opening hours will mean that there will no longer be any staff present at Troon Station beyond early to mid afternoon most days, which for our elderly and disabled population is a cause for concern."

The newly completed station building includes a Changing Places toilet, which is to be the only such facility in a station outwith large cities.

Cllr Mackay said: "This is an enviable facility to have in Troon, and will be of great benefit going forward – but not if the station building is to be locked up half way through the day, preventing access to the toilets.

"Indeed during the consultation on the new station building I queried the design with the toilets only able to be accessed from within the waiting room, and highlighted the 2022 consultation on reducing ticket office opening hours.

"I was assured that there were no 'current' plans to reduce opening times, but clearly that is no longer the case.

"Staff presence also provides the station with some security when there is anti-social behaviour, and a significant element of public reassurance."

Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: “The independent passenger watchdog Transport Focus carried out an extensive consultation on these proposals, which received feedback from thousands of people across Scotland.

"We have listened to our customers and updated our proposals based on that feedback.

“These changes will provide a service that is better suited for today and the ticket-buying habits of our customers, as well as create an environment that improves safety and customer support.”