THE new multi-purpose bridge at Kilwinning Railway Station will not be opening until August, it can be revealed.

The single span bridge with a three-lift system which is to replace the two current bridges and link the ticket office with all platforms with ease and make vast improvements for disabled or elderly commuters was first mooted in May of last year and construction has been underway for some time.

But changes to the design mean it will not be opened to the public until August and Network Rail say they are ‘working hard’ to deliver it as soon as possible.

The delay was a topic of discussion at last week’s meeting of Kilwinning Community Council.

Labour Councillor for the town, Donald Reid, said: “There has been a delay for putting the lifts in, the first tower has gone up. They’re pushing on with it but there will be a delay unfortunately. It’s to be completed around August.

“It was to be April but unfortunately the manufacturing of the lifts, because there is so many of them getting made, has been a problem. So the shafts will all be put in, the infrastructure will be put in but I think actually fitting the lifts, because obviously that’s where the specialism is in making the lifts to suit the stations.

“They finished Kilmarnock late, and they’re in Shotts, the electrification of that line, as well as Kilwinning so there’s a wee delay there. But as I say they are pushing on with it.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Construction work has taken slightly longer than initially planned due to the need to incorporate some changes to the original design of the new bridge. We understand the inconvenience this will cause some customers and are working hard to deliver the project as soon as possible.”