RAIL strikes are set to cause chaos across services to the Three Towns - with golf fans travel arrangements for the Open also under threat.

Following industrial action taken by train workers last month, union bosses announced a fresh stage of strikes for July, scheduled for the 14th, 16th and 17th.

It clashes with one of the biggest events on the golfing calendar, The Open Championship, held in Troon. Key dates of the Open are impacted by the strikes, which could make it harder for fans to travel to the venue.

Aside from the last train from Glasgow Central each evening, direct services between Glasgow – Largs/Ardrossan will be suspended, and passengers travelling on this route will need to change trains at Kilwinning.

Train times between Kilwinning and Largs/Ardrossan will be different from the normal timetable so check journey options on ScotRail website before travelling.

On Sunday 17 July, please note that trains will not call at Ardrossan Harbour or Ardrossan Town. A replacement bus will run from Kilwinning to these stations.

Discussions have been ongoing between the RMT, Britain’s largest specialist transport union and Scotrail, who are at a disagreement over driver-only-operation (DOO) trains.

DOO means that the driver of the train is asked to close the doors at stations instead of the conductor. The RMT, however, argue that this strategy is dangerous to passengers, whilst Scotrail have hit back in claiming that there would always be a second member of staff provided on services.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash told a leading Scottish newspaper: “Despite a series of rock solid strikes it is extraordinary that Abellio/ScotRail continue to ignore the strength of feeling amongst their staff over the extension of DOO.

“That disgraceful and cavalier approach to jobs and safety on Scotland’s railways now leaves us with no choice but to move to a new phase of industrial action.”

But Scotrail managing director Phil Verster said: “This strike is totally needless.

“The RMT have refused point blank to talk to us about how we modernise and improve Scotland’s railway.

“The public will be astonished to hear that this is a strike only about who opens and closes doors on trains, nothing more.”