A NEW multi-million pound railway station in Largs have moved a step closer.

The Scottish Government have confirmed that the much-vaunted project to boost travel and tourism in the town is under consideration as part of a major traffic infrastructure overhaul.

The proposal for the new attraction at Largs Yacht Haven raised by constituency MSP Kenneth Gibson in the Scottish Parliament this week.

The proposal to boost travel and tourism in the town was first floated almost 40 years ago but was dismissed as too costly at the time.

But it is now back on the table and being hailed as potential game changer for tourism in the area, as well as providing a solution to the Largs' car parking problems as it would include a park and ride facility.

The potential move has also been welcomed by Largs Yacht Haven.

Manager Carolyn Elder said: "I have read the proposal with interest.

"In our early planning in the 1980s we looked into building an unmanned halt at the Yacht Haven to benefit boat owners, charterers and staff for both the Yacht Haven and Kelburn Country Centre.

"As it would be the second last stop on the Largs to Glasgow line it would not impact the railway schedule hugely.

"We would welcome the addition of a halt at this end of town and the additional benefits it would bring to both the businesses and the local community.

"We look forward to seeing how this progresses."

Mr Gibson says he is also excited by the development.

He added: "I'm delighted that a new station at Largs Marina is now ‘subject to consideration and appraisal.’

"Such a development would take much of the pressure off the centre of Largs, where parking can be at a premium, serve residents living in the southern end of the town and deliver a boost to the marina and Kelburn Country Centre."

The new came to light after the MSP reported parking problems in the town and what consideration the government had given to the feasibility of building a new railway station as part of its national £24 billion infrastructure investment plan.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, said: "Investment decisions must be founded on robust evidence. There is an ongoing process to identify future transport investment, that is the second Strategic Transport Projects Review. During the option process, an option for a new station at Largs Marina has been proposed.

"This will now be subject to consideration and appraisal, along with other options for the Ayrshire and Arran Region."

Viscount David Boyle, of Kelburn Country Centre, is delighted by the news.

He said: "It could bring a lot of benefits to Largs."

The idea was recently mooted by Independent councillor Ian Murdoch, who believed that a new station could transform Largs and help solve the ongoing parking dilemma which has dogged the town for decades. Before electrification in 1985, there used to be two train tracks in and out of town and Councillor Murdoch called for the situation to be looked at.

The study is due to be concluded by autumn 2021.