TRAIN services between Glasgow Central and Largs are set to be reduced by up to 18 per cent on Saturdays, it has been revealed.

Largs Labour MSP Katy Clark has criticised the Scottish Government for failing to block 'damaging' railways cuts to local services after news of the planned cuts was uncovered by the News.

Under the proposed new timetable, the number of Saturday journeys from Glasgow to Largs, Fairlie and West Kilbride will drop by 18 per cent compared to summer 2019 levels, and by 15 per cent for the reverse route compared to the last equivalent summer timetable.

On Mondays to Fridays, the number of daily journeys from Largs, Fairlie and West to Glasgow would reduce by 10 per cent compared to summer 2019, with nine per cent for the reverse route.

The consultation is being held by Abellio, despite the fact it will not be operating the franchise from 1 April.

However, the Scottish Government has powers to block cuts to services as it is managing rail services under emergency powers introduced in April.

An RMT survey of 400 ScotRail workers on Wednesday found 96 per cent believe the cuts will impact passengers negatively, 89 per cent believe they will deter passengers from using the rail network. Around 97 per cent believe the reduction will be used to justify job cuts in the future.

Ms Clark, who is a west of Scotland regional MSP, said: “Not only will these cuts be damaging for people who rely on these essential services, but it completely undermines the Scottish Government’s stated ambition to encourage people to drive less and use public transport more."