A NEW train will be added to the local train timetable next month meaning more Ardrossan and Arran residents can get to Glasgow on Sundays.

From Sunday, December 11, there will be a new fast train to Glasgow on Sunday mornings.

The new service will depart Ardrossan Harbour at 9.35am, Ardrossan Town at 9.37am, and Ardrossan South Beach at 9.39am, and will arrive into Glasgow Central at 10.18am.

At present, the first two trains from Ardrossan to Glasgow on a Sunday are at 9.11am and 10.11am, the new service will add extra capacity at a time when it is required.

The journey time from Ardrossan South Beach to Glasgow is just 38 minutes, as the train runs express from Kilwinning to Johnstone, meaning travellers will have a faster and more comfortable ride into the city.

Cathy Craig, ScotRail’s Commercial Director, said: “This new service will be a real boost for our customers across Ayrshire and Arran. This new Sunday morning train will deliver extra capacity on the busy Ayrshire corridor and help get more people where they want to be.”

CalMac’s Director of operations Drew Collier said: “The community on Arran wanted this earlier sailing and I’m delighted that we were able to meet this request and that ScotRail can now provide an integrated onward transport link that will enable passengers get to the central belt early on a Sunday.”

Doug Coleman, Peel Ports’ project director for Ardrossan Harbour, said: “The superbly integrated nature of the Ardrossan train/ferry link is clearly superior to the 15-minute walk from Troon Station’s one-way street to Troon Harbour.

“Visiting Arran and Ardrossan this week and meeting with a wide range of local people, it was clear there is a very strong local feeling for retaining the ferry on the shortest, fastest and cheapest route.

“We’re working closely with North Ayrshire Council to develop a compelling multi-million-pound investment case to help ensure Ardrossan maintains its historic link with Arran for decades to come.”