A stretch of railway in Ayrshire looks set to be closed for weeks – after a large sinkhole appeared at the side of the track.
Network Rail bosses have confirmed that investigation work is ongoing following the alarming discovery of the void between Kilmarnock and Barassie on Saturday.
Engineers are working hard to repair the damage with Coal Authority experts drafted in to see if they can identify any potential mineworkings in the area.
Rail passengers using the route face disruption, however, as Network Rail expect the line to be closed for "a number of weeks" while the problem is sorted out.
An exclusion zone has been set up around the site while engineers confirm the cause of the hole, as well as its full size and depth.
The investigations will then allow Network Rail to plan a programme of repairs, as well as giving a clearer indication of when the line can reopen.
Rail services between Kilmarnock and Barassie will remain suspended with a replacement bus service in operation.
Trains between Ayr and Girvan/Stranraer; and between Glasgow Central and Kilmarnock, will continue to run as planned.
Network Rail project manager Tom Podger said: “Holes like this are very unusual on the railway and we’re working with the Coal Authority to identify the cause, as well as finding a solution to make the railway safe for trains to pass again.
“We understand the inconvenience this incident will cause to some passengers, and I’d like to thank those customers for their patience and understanding while work continues.”
Passengers can visit https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ or https://www.scotrail.co.uk/ for updates when making their journeys.
This is the latest setback for passengers in Ayrshire after timetables were ripped up and services scaled back as a result of a pay dispute between ScotRail and the ASLEF union. The Scottish Government only recently took the railways back into public ownership.
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