A councillor says Network Rail chiefs have taken too long over delivering proposals for Troon’s new railway station.
Councillor Craig Mackay fears the clock is ticking on the construction of the new station after the previous one was destroyed in a fire.
Residents will this week finally see three options for how their town’s new station could shape up – as Network Rail get set to unveil their big plans at a public meeting on Wednesday.
The Walker Hall event will see the first public display of the three new concepts.
But SNP councillor Mackay believes the first bricks should already be in place at the current ‘ghost’ station fearing visitors will arrive to the Open Golf Championships in 2024 to a “construction site.”
Councillor Mackay told Ayrshire Live: “My main concern is the time it has taking.
“We’ve already missed the boat— no pun intended — for when the Arran ferries come.
“And when the golf arrives in less than two years there’s a worry that visitors will be met with a construction site.
“I think they [Network Rail] are cutting it fine.”
Councillor Mackay previously told he he was ghosted from bosses at Network Rail despite sending seven requests for a meeting.
And he insists the railway firm should have consulted the community about replacing the iconic Victorian era station before launching proposals.
Councillor Mackay added: “Without having seen what they have proposed I welcome it as progress but it is now 13 months since the fire. A lot of time has passed.
“I always called on Network Rail to engage with the local community from the offset and they haven’t done that.
“If they spoke to the community from the beginning then they might not need three plans.
“I feel they have maybe wasted time developing three options, but hopefully after the meeting we have a much clearer picture on the future of Troon station.”
Network Rail chiefs say Wednesday’s meeting is the “first opportunity” they have had to engage with the community.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “This is the first opportunity we have had to engage with the community in Troon and we are looking forward to presenting a selection of initial concepts for the reconstruction of the station building, as per commitments made to the community following the fire.
“We hope that people come along on Wednesday to see the concepts and to offer their views and ask any questions they may have about the work to reinstate the station building.”
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