Work has started on a £2.7 million railway station upgrade project in Kilmarnock.

Network Rail is aiming to create step-free access to platforms one, three and four from the existing Kilmarnock station underpass via newly installed lifts, which will be built and installed over a nine-month period.

Features include lowering, regrading and resurfacing the underpass and renewing staircases and handrails to ensure they are appropriate to modern accessibility standards.

Willie Coffey, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Kilmarnock and the Irvine Valley, said: "Kilmarnock station is an important entry point to the town for a growing number of visitors and so we warmly welcome any investment that makes it easier for people to travel through the station when they get here.

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"The new step-free access to all platforms will undoubtedly make travelling easier for those with mobility issues, the elderly, parents travelling with prams or buggies or people with luggage. Step-free access across the station will improve the overall rail journey experience for everyone in our community."

Jeremy Spence, Network Rail programme manager, said: "We are continuously seeking opportunities to make our stations more accessible. These new lifts will help ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to easily access services at Kilmarnock station and thus enable even more people to travel by train.

"The improvements we will make at the station will deliver modern standards of access and increased convenience for those travelling to or from Kilmarnock on a day-to-day basis and will improve the overall travelling experience for passengers."

Work is scheduled to complete by December.

(LM)