Fans attending The 150th Open at St Andrews this week are being urged not to travel by rail due to a limited temporary timetable being operated by ScotRail, as they might not get home.
Organisers say they have "no choice" but to ask ticket holders to travel by road or use alternative public transport to attend The Open, which will take place from July 10-17. As a result of ScotRail's ongoing dispute with ASLEF, a much reduced number of rail services will run to and from Leuchars, Fife.
Contingency measures will be in place, including increased capacity at Park and Ride facilities to cater for the expected rise in the number of fans travelling by road. Individuals are also being advised to purchase Park and Ride tickets in advance to minimise waiting times.
Organisers say they "share in the disappointment" of fans that their travel options have been cut due to the situation.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Championships executive director at The R&A, said: “Due to circumstances out of our control, we have no choice but to urge fans to not travel by rail to The Open and to use alternative means of transport to get to and from St Andrews next week.
"There is a risk that fans who travel by train may find there are no services to get them home.
“We appreciate that fans will be frustrated by this and share in their disappointment that the enhanced rail service planned for The Open will not operate.
"We want to reassure fans that we are doing all that we can to make their experience of attending The Open a memorable one and have contingency measures in place to manage the situation.”
Road users, both fans and local residents, are being told to plan ahead with longer journey times and delays possible due to an expected increase in the volume of traffic travelling to and from St Andrews.
They are being instructed to follow the directional yellow AA road signage and variable messaging signage on designated routes that will be prioritised by Police Scotland in order to access the Park and Ride facilities.
They are being cautioned against using satnavs or equivalent devices, too. Alternative public transport, including buses and taxis, is available for fans to use.
Local bus services are complemented by an express network that connects St Andrews with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Cupar and Glenrothes. A designated taxi rank and private hire drop off/pick-up area will be in operation.
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