News - Ayr
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Campaigners and heritage groups demand answers from South Ayrshire Council over the future of Ayr's Station Hotel.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel South Ayrshire Council  Ayr Station Hotel: Ayr Station Hotel on 9th January 2024, viewed from the south. Definitely another section has gone with the debris piled below. As I then walked up the west side the machine simply tore down another la ...  Ayr Station Hotel: Ayr Station Hotel on 19th December 2023. The whole south end has now gone. The nibbler was tearing down the scaffolding with Network Rail employees watching the lines. The shuttle to Prestwick Town wa ...  Ayr Station Hotel: The full extent of the demolition of the southern range of Ayr Station Hotel is now apparent. This is the scene from the Station Bridge. |
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Safety work continues at fire ravaged Station Hotel in Ayr - with action being taken to protect Ayr's war memorial as it goes on.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel War memorial  Ayr: This war memorial was originally located at Glasgow St Enoch but was relocated to Ayr on its demolition. Photographed in 2002. Ayr Station Hotel: Ayr Station Hotel on 9th January 2024, viewed from the south. Definitely another section has gone with the debris piled below. As I then walked up the west side the machine simply tore down another la ... |
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Trains will only operate between Ayr and Irvine and between Glengarnock and Glasgow.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayrshire Engineering Works Girvan Glasgow Central Glengarnock Irvine Kilwinning |
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The service, which was introduced following the large fire at the Ayr Station Hotel, was suspended on December 19 due to unsafe conditions at the station.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Prestwick |
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ScotRail confirmed it was unable to run its shuttle train between Prestwick Town and Ayr.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station hotel Prestwick Town |
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The contractor is continuing to carry out the safety works at the southern gable end of the building.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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The station and several roads around it have been shut since a fire at the former Station Hotel on 25 September.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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A new pedestrian crossing has been opened to improve access arrangements following the major fire at the Station Hotel in Ayr.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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Trains will not be able to serve Ayr for several weeks while work is carried out to make Ayr Station Hotel safe, ScotRail has confirmed.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel  Ayr Station Hotel: The inevitable, but at least the dilemma about the Station Hotel is settled. Despite an earlier attempt at setting the hotel on fire it appears nothing was done to enhance security. Ayr is in chaos, t ... |
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The absentee owner of Ayr Station Hotel has made no contact with South Ayrshire Council over a recent fire incident.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel  Ayr Station Hotel: The fire damage to Ayr Station Hotel viewed from Burns Statue Square, where the roads are closed. The view is looking east towards the station with the Royal Scots Fusiliers memorial to the right. The ... |
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The demise of this Ayr landmark underlines the need for greater powers for councils over absentee owners of important buildings.
(Permalink) Absentee owners Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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The Station Hotel building in Ayr is to be handed over to South Ayrshire Council on Thursday as emergency services prepare to stand down from the site.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Fire South Ayrshire Council |
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ScotRail said that it does not expect to be able to run services to or from the station for 'at least the next few days'.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Cancellations Fire ScotRail |
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The crew attending the fire at Ayr Station Hotel was forced to wait for a specialist high reach fire engine after budget cuts.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Fire Scottish Fire and Rescue Service The Fire Brigades Union |
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Proposals to turn Ayr railway station 'grey' have been submitted by Network Rail and IDP Architects.
(Permalink) Ayr Network Rail |
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The hotel originally catered to an affluent clientele when it opened in 1855 but has been an eyesore for years.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Fire Ayr Station Hotel: The inevitable, but at least the dilemma about the Station Hotel is settled. Despite an earlier attempt at setting the hotel on fire it appears nothing was done to enhance security. Ayr is in chaos, t ... Ayr Station Hotel: The fire damage to Ayr Station Hotel viewed from Burns Statue Square, where the roads are closed. The view is looking east towards the station with the Royal Scots Fusiliers memorial to the right. The ...  Ayr Station Hotel: The Station and Station Hotel at Ayr, seen here on 1st June 2012. The impressive structure was built to the design of Andrew Galloway, Chief Engineer of the G&SWR, in 1886. The view from the platf ... |
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It is the second time in four months that a blaze has broken out at the Ayr Station Hotel, where stars who have performed have included Billy Connolly and Tom Jones.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Fire |
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Shocking pictures from the scene show Ayr Station Hotel go up in flames.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Fire |
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ScotRail has announced details of changes to Ayr train services after the devastating blaze at the Station Hotel building on Monday.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Fire |
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No train services are expected to run to or from Ayr stationover the next few days as engineers work to assess when the station can re-open, following a major fire at the neighbouring hotel last night.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Cancellations |
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Emergency services are dealing with the second blaze at the former Ayr Station Hotel in four months.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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... I'm talking, of course, about Ayr Station Hotel, once one of the grandest station hotels in the country but now empty and un-used. As you probably know, its currently covered by scaffolding and plastic sheeting thats turned the building into a great white iceberg slap bang in the middle of the town. But if we could see under the sheeting, wed see the beautiful red sandstone and the chateau-style finishes and flourishes designed by the great Scottish engineer Andrew Galloway who also did the incredible Glaisnock viaduct in Cumnock. To summarise: this is an important building. ...
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Opinion  Ayr Station Hotel: Despite the sign there has been no welcome here for years now. Beautiful buddleia though. 17th July 2023.
 Ayr: Work is about to begin on a new staff accommodation block at Ayr station in the first phase of a programme that will unlock significant improvements for passengers and the operation of the station. Ayr Station Hotel: The Station and Station Hotel at Ayr, seen here on 1st June 2012. The impressive structure was built to the design of Andrew Galloway, Chief Engineer of the G&SWR, in 1886. The view from the platf ... |
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South Ayrshire Council is moving forward with plans for a new station and transport hub.
(Permalink) ScotRail Ayr Ayr Gateway Ayr Station Hotel Network Rail South Ayrshire Council Transport Scotland  Ayr Station Hotel: The Station Hotel in Ayr closed in 2013 but was not put up for sale until
2017. Here it is on 10 October 2017, awaiting developments (or development).
 Ayr Station Hotel: Barriers and scaffolding around Ayr's Station Hotel in January 2016. Built by the GSWR in 1866, the grade 2 listed building, which forms an integral part of Ayr station, closed in 2013, since when it ...  Ayr: The empty Station Hotel basks in the early morning sunlight overlooking Ayr station on 10 November 2014. Unfortunately this shows up the sad state of the building. At least the pigeons don't seem to h ... |
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A CalMac ferry has been forced to dock in Ayr as part an urgent reshuffle. The unusual sight came as CalMac was forced to change the usual berthing arrangements for its Arran ferries because of bad weather.
(Permalink) Ayr Caledonian MacBrayne MV Hebridean Isles Weather  Ayr Harbour: MV Hebridean Isles was a surprise visitor in the river yesterday.
[The vessel was in Ayr as, due to poor weather, the MV Caledonian Isles was using the Irish berth at Ardrossan. -RS] |
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The Scottish Government should commit to the electrification of the rail network in the south of Scotland, according to a local MSP.
(Permalink) Ayr Electrification Girvan Stranraer  Girvan: The 13.54 arrival from Stranraer at Girvan on 2nd March 2023. Girvan station is being 'improved' with better CCTV and these 'trip-strips'.
 Stranraer: The 09.23 from Ayr on arrival, 8-10-19. The vast majority of passengers (11) was from our photoclub. |
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SNP MSP John Mason has called for the electrification of a railway line running through Glasgow city centre, as well as a new station that would 'take pressure off' Queen Street station and Central station. The MSP says a new station at Glasgow Cross would allow trains to run directly from Ayr to Edinburgh and stop in Glasgow en route but not at either of the city's two main stations.
(Permalink) Ayr CGU City of Glasgow Union Railway Edinburgh Electrification Gallowgate Glasgow Cross |
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The doomed hotel is open to the elements after last night's storms.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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Scottish Forestry says 225,000 tonnes of wood will be transported by sea to Ayrshire. The Scottish government agency said the move would save about 2.2 million lorry miles - including 9,750 fewer lorry trips via the A82 - and prevent the release of almost 4,000 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions.
(Permalink) Ardrishaig Associated British Ports Auchinleck Ayr Campbeltown Girvan Irvine Sandbank Scottish Forestry Timber Troon |
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Representatives of Eng Huat Ung say the absentee boss is now ready to find a solution to the long-running saga.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Cultural vandalism  Ayr Station Hotel: The clingwrap on the Station Hotel is apparently not totally effective and the Hanging Gardens are coming back. 22nd August 2021.
 Ayr Station Hotel: The Ayr station hotel saga continues. The latest in December 2018 - a scaffolding framework is being erected over the roof. This is a close up image of this new construction. Ayr Station Hotel: Barriers and scaffolding around Ayr's Station Hotel in January 2016. Built by the GSWR in 1866, the grade 2 listed building, which forms an integral part of Ayr station, closed in 2013, since when it ... |
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ScotRail has confirmed that a bus replacement service will be in operation between Ayr and Stranraer this weekend.
(Permalink) Ayr Engineering works Replacement bus Stranraer |
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A fast-tracked contract to secure Ayr's crumbling Station Hotel must be the subject of an inquiry, according to a former MSP.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Ayr Station Hotel: The clingwrap on the Station Hotel is apparently not totally effective and the Hanging Gardens are coming back. 22nd August 2021.
 Ayr: Most unusual - a Class 156 'parked' in Platform 2 at Ayr on 10th July 2020. Unfortunately, no progress on the Station Hotel was apparent on this visit.  Ayr Station Hotel: Seen from the platform, Ayr's Station Hotel may be semi derelict but it is still at least partially furnished. Note the writing desk with lamps - 'Would madam care for some Quink for her fountain pen? ... |
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Signalling problems at Ayr Station mean that trains are currently unable to leave the station.
(Permalink) Ayr Signalling |
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Ayr train station has been accidentally removed from the ScotRail timetable due to a computer glitch.
(Permalink) Ayr ScotRail ScotRail App Timetabling |
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People across South Scotland are being urged to have their say on prospective rail plan changes.
(Permalink) Ayr Carlisle Girvan Kilmarnock Stranraer Timetabling  Kilmarnock: 156430 to Stranraer and 156456 to Glasgow Central, at Kilmarnock station around lunchtime on 25th July 2017. Two of my friends can be seen on the left in the background, patiently waiting for me to ...  Dumfries: A Glasgow to Carlisle service pulls out of Dumfries on 25 June 2019. The lovely station is built of the red (Locharbriggs?) sandstone which is ubiquitous round these parts  Stranraer: The 13.04 to Kilmarnock comes off the causeway from Stranraer Harbour station and is about to pass under the A77 road bridge. 29th October 2017.
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Some train services between Ayr and Girvan may be delayeddue to a vehicle colliding with a bridge between Ayr and Maybole this morning.
(Permalink) Ayr Bridge strike Maybole |
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There will be no trains running from Glasgow to Ayr until Friday at the very earliest, Scotrail have said.
(Permalink) Ayr Glasgow Kilwinning Troon |
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A new rail link between Largs and Wemyss Bay is one of the surprise options put forward in a raft of travel improvements designed to boost the local economy.
Direct rail services between Kilmarnock, Ardrossan and Largs and between Largs-Ayr are also mooted. [The article refers to the 'Old Irvine Line' meaning the short curve used for freight and empty stock movements between Dubbs Junction and Byrehill Junction. Hunterston low level remains open to nuclear fuel traffic. -RS] (Permalink) Ayr Byrehill Junction Dubbs Junction Huntertston Pier Largs Largs Yacht Haven Wemyss Bay  Hunterston Low Level Sidings: Flask train ascending from Hunterston Low Level. 68005 'Defiant' leading with 88002 'Prometheus' behind on 20th April 2021.
 Byrehill Junction: Standard Mogul 77015 at Byrehill Junction on 4 April 1959 with an Ardrossan - Kilmarnock train. |
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A community group has notified South Ayrshire Council of their intention to apply to purchase Ayr Station under the community right to buy scheme.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel |
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Options are finally being revealed for the future of the Station Hotel in Ayr.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Ayr: Most unusual - a Class 156 'parked' in Platform 2 at Ayr on 10th July 2020. Unfortunately, no progress on the Station Hotel was apparent on this visit. Ayr Station Hotel: Seen from the platform, Ayr's Station Hotel may be semi derelict but it is still at least partially furnished. Note the writing desk with lamps - 'Would madam care for some Quink for her fountain pen? ... Ayr: Work is about to begin on a new staff accommodation block at Ayr station in the first phase of a programme that will unlock significant improvements for passengers and the operation of the station. |
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Ayr's tech hub have got behind the campaign to save the Station Hotel with bold plans for a laser projection onto the building itself.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Ayr Station Hotel: Seen from the platform, Ayr's Station Hotel may be semi derelict but it is still at least partially furnished. Note the writing desk with lamps - 'Would madam care for some Quink for her fountain pen? ... Ayr: Work is about to begin on a new staff accommodation block at Ayr station in the first phase of a programme that will unlock significant improvements for passengers and the operation of the station. |
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A group who halted the demolition of Ayr's Seafield House want to help save the crumbling Station Hotel.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Ayr: Most unusual - a Class 156 'parked' in Platform 2 at Ayr on 10th July 2020. Unfortunately, no progress on the Station Hotel was apparent on this visit. Ayr: Work is about to begin on a new staff accommodation block at Ayr station in the first phase of a programme that will unlock significant improvements for passengers and the operation of the station. |
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Public opinion is to be canvassed as the long running saga over Ayr's Station Hotel takes a new turn.
Bosses at South Ayrshire Council have today announced an independent feasibility study over the building's future is underway. (Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel  Ayr: The 10.51 for Edinburgh via Glasgow Central (reverse) awaits departure from Ayr on 4th November 2019. On the return, in spite of the conductor's assurances that the same reversal applied at Central ... Ayr: Most unusual - a Class 156 'parked' in Platform 2 at Ayr on 10th July 2020. Unfortunately, no progress on the Station Hotel was apparent on this visit. Ayr Station Hotel: Seen from the platform, Ayr's Station Hotel may be semi derelict but it is still at least partially furnished. Note the writing desk with lamps - 'Would madam care for some Quink for her fountain pen? ... |
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Work is about to begin on a new staff accommodation block at Ayr station in the first phase of a programme that will unlock significant improvements for passengers and the operation of the station. The installation of a new modular block to the east of the station; opposite platform four, will provide staff with a fully functioning base, independent of the original station building. It will serve as a booking-on point for drivers and host general welfare facilities for all station-based staff. First phase work alone represents an investment of circa £1.3m to improve Ayr station. The location of the new block means that work can be progressed without the need to close the line at any point. It will also enable the removal of portacabins to free up parking spaces.
(Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel  Ayr: General view of Ayr Station, Platforms 1, 2 and 3 from Platform 4 looking north on 1st May 2020. Photo ancillary to a permitted walk during the Corona virus emergency.
Ayr: Work is about to begin on a new staff accommodation block at Ayr station in the first phase of a programme that will unlock significant improvements for passengers and the operation of the station. |
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Train services between Ayr and Stranraer will be restored from today.
Earlier this year South Ayrshire Council enforced an exclusion zone at Ayr station. This was because the privately-owned former Station Hotel has been deemed unsafe. While Ayr station remains open for business, the exclusion zone means we have had to make changes to services to and from Ayr, including the cancellation of services between Ayr and Stranraer. (Permalink) Ayr Ayr Station Hotel Stranraer |
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Following withdrawal of Stena ferry operations from Stranraer Harbour with services now concentrated on Cairnryan, a connecting coach link has been established between the latter and Ayr Railway Station. [See adjacent images]
(Permalink) Ayr Bus Cairnryan Ferry Stena Line Stranraer Train  Ayr: Passengers boarding the Cairnryan coach outside Ayr station on 2 March 2012.  Ayr: Departure board at Ayr station on 2 March 2012 showing the 12.45 direct coach link with the ferry terminal at Cairnryan.  Cairnryan: Aerial view over Cairnryan looking south showing the former Military Port. Its associated railway ran along the coastline from Leffnol (top) to Cairn Point (bottom). The triangular shape of the modern ... |
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From the 6th of January the full pre-dispute timetable will be reinstated with the return of peak expresses at Balloch and Milngavie and the half-hourly daytime Dalmuir-Bellgrove via Yoker trains. Under the terms of the compensation package agreed between ScotRail and SPT for the impact of the special timetable during the dispute, there will also be new peak hour trains at Ayr, Barrhead, Busby and East Kilbride.
A half-hourly service will be introduced to Wishaw, Carluke and Lanark by diverting the hourly electric train via Hamilton that until January 2002 ran to Coatbridge Central (which will however regain Argyle Line services in the evening and morning peak - and after the evening peak the Motherwell-Cumbernauld service will run until 2126/2159). So as to avoid reversal at Motherwell, most of the new trains to/from Lanark will run via and call at Holytown, providing a direct Hamilton-Lanark service. Prior to 6 January the Motherwell-Wishaw via Holytown route was 'served' only by the 0643 Motherwell-Lanark and at the Mossend east-to-south curve by the 1721 Edinburgh-Shotts-Motherwell. The last regular service was the Lanarkshire diesel 'Green Trains' which ceased in 1974 on the electrification of the West Coast Main Line. (Permalink) Ayr Barrhead Bellgrove Busby Carluke Coatbridge Central Dalmuir East Kilbride Hamilton Lanark Lanark ScotRail Wishaw |
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