ONLY one in every four trains are arriving in Largs on time, new statistics have revealed.

The figures have shown Largs is the second worst performing line in Scotland - sparking Green MSP Ross Greer to raise what he describes as 'shockingly poor service' with the Scottish Government’s transport secretary Michael Matheson.

This month’s data showed that the number of trains arriving at the local station has dropped to 26.3 per cent.

Mr Greer has now met with Mr Matheson and made the case for action to be taken on poor performance on lines across North Ayrshire - and specifically pointed to the Largs line as an example of commuters being failed.

Mr Matheson pointed to a number of changes being made, such as timetable alterations and equipment upgrades, which officials believe will have a positive impact in the immediate future.

Mr Greer said: “Residents are being driven away from using the train by this utterly unreliable line and in the absence of a quality alternative bus service, are getting into their cars, which only increases congestion, local air pollution and contributes towards the climate crisis.

"With only one in four trains locally on time, is it any wonder passengers are giving up?

“It was useful to discuss the situation with the Cabinet Secretary and his officials. As I pointed out to him, the three worst performing lines in the country are all in the West of Scotland and they’re all lines coming out of Glasgow with sections of single track, making it near impossible to recover from any delays.

"I’d be very interested to see how the new timetable and other changes are having an effect, but they would need to make an unbelievably positive impact to get the line on track to anything like an acceptable standard.

"We need some major investment to fix this problem, which in turn means some long-term thinking from the Scottish Government.”

Local councillors, including economy portfolio chairman Alex Gallagher and Conservative councillor Tom Marshall, have also criticised the service recently.

Cllr. Gallagher told the News that ScotRail was 'failing Largs' and said the firm needed to 'pull their socks up'.