CONCERN at the axeing of peak-time express trains between Helensburgh and Glasgow has been raised at the Scottish Parliament.

Members of Cardross Community Council voiced their frustration at a range of rail-related issues during a meeting at Holyrood with local MSP Jackie Baillie and ScotRail Alliance chief executive Phil Verster.

Ms Beillie organised the meeting after receiving dozens of complaints from constituents about cancelled services and overcrowding on trains on the Helensburgh and Balloch routes.

Cardross CC convener Tony Davey and his colleague Bob Murray also said the issue of 'station skipping' – when late-running trains miss out certain stops between Dumbarton and Helensburgh to make up time – was one of the top bugbears for local passengers.

Mr Davey said: “Very open and frank discussions were held on issues ranging from station skipping, lack of onboard train toilet provision, and removal of certain services, to a lack of communication to passengers on delay and alteration of timetables, and a request for an evening stop on the West Highland service.

“The meeting with Mr Verster resulted in a positive response. He promised to take all our concerns on board and investigate our suggestions with his team.

“Our first impressions are that we are hopeful of improved customer service for our community's rail travellers.”

Commuters on the Helensburgh line were less than pleased at ScotRail's decision this summer not to reinstate the peak-time express trains which were suspended earlier this year because of work on the Queen Street Tunnel in Glasgow city centre.

At the time ScotRail said the 'temporary' timetable – brought into use because trains which would normally use the high level station at Queen Street were diverted to the low level station instead – had resulted in better overall reliability.

Following the meeting, Ms Baillie said: “Over the last few weeks I have seen a spike in the number of passengers contacting my office to raise issues so clearly the service on offer is not up to scratch.

“Station skipping is another huge inconvenience, particularly for passengers in Cardross, and I hope ScotRail will take action to reduce the impact on local people. The last thing you need after a busy day at work is to be left stranded miles from home simply so that ScotRail can avoid a fine for missing targets.

“I have also asked ScotRail to review the recent timetable changes in Helensburgh and Lomond which have resulted in longer journeys and more waiting around for local commuters who work in Glasgow.

“I look forward to seeing what steps ScotRail will bring forward and I will work with them to improve services across Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh.”

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “Our managing director, Phil Verster, had a constructive meeting with Jackie Baillie.  He welcomed the chance to hear constituents’ concerns.

“They discussed the robust planning that takes place ahead of any timetable changes, and Mr Verster highlighted how the alterations are delivering a more consistent and reliable timetable along the North Clyde route.  This includes to and from Glasgow but also further afield, with better journey opportunities beyond the city - including a permanent, all-day service between Airdrie and Balloch, and an additional two trains per hour between Dumbarton Central and Cumbernauld.

“We are always open to suggestions from the people who use our services, and are reviewing whether we might be able to make further improvements for North Clyde customers next year.”

On the issue of trains missing out stops at certain stations, the spokeswoman added: “We appreciate how frustrating this is. We have ensured that our operational teams understand that a decision to miss out a station must always be a last resort, when all other options have been considered.”