KILWINNING railway station is set to receive a share of £60m in new funding to improve access for passengers.

It’s been revealed that Kilwinning station will be one of only three train station in Scotland to receive the cash boost, announced by UK Transport Minister Baroness Kramer on Tuesday, December 16.

The plans will see accessible, step-free access provided as part of the UK Government’s Access for All programme.

A new accessible route into Kilwinning station will be built between each platform including new lifts.

Baroness Kramer said: “Making the rail network accessible to all is a vital part of our plans to build a stronger economy and a fairer society.

“These improvements will make a real difference to passengers – from those with limited mobility, to people with heavy luggage or parents with prams. This is great news.” The only other Scottish stations to benefit from the funding will be Kilmarnock and Westerton stations.

The successful stations were nominated by the rail industry last year and selected for funding according to passenger numbers, the needs of the local area, and proximity to facilities such as hospitals or schools for disabled children.

Detailed costing and design work for each station will now be drawn up by Network Rail, with all of the projects due to be completed by 2019.

By the end of 2019, the Government insist that more than £520m will have been invested in delivering step-free routes at more than 215 stations across the UK.

In addition, they insist a further 1,100 stations will have benefited from smaller-scale improvements.