KILWINNING Railway Station could be transformed with a single bridge and new lift system serving all four platforms.

Plans were lodged with North Ayrshire Council last week for a ‘single span bridge with a three-lift system’ which would replace the two current bridges and link the ticket office with all platforms with ease and make vast improvements for disabled or elderly commuters.

The station is one of the busiest in Ayrshire with passengers from throughout the local area using it to travel to Glasgow, Ayr and beyond on a daily basis and Network Rail look to be showing a clear commitment to their customers with this bold move.

Designs and plans have been on the go for over two years with the first workshop on the idea held back in January of 2016.

Network Rail described the new system in their development and said: “The new bridges, lifts and stairs will be compatible with the existing station building and will include modifications and extensions to the station CCTV system, CIS and lighting.

“As well as improving passenger access, the bridge has been designed to serve as a focal point for station drop-offs via buses, cars and taxis, and provide an element of shelter, through the addition of a glazed screen facade installed from the underside of the bridge to ground.”

The redevelopment doesn’t require consultation but Network Rail spoke with the Local Disability Panel at the end of the summer in 2017 and once they confirmed the purchase of land required to continue with the application, they have said they will have the following:

* local community drop in

* leaflet/ letter drop

* engagement with Community Council; and

* meetings with local Councillors/MSPs.