EASTWOOD MSP Jackson Carlaw has urged the Scottish Government to make sure the train network is “fit for purpose” in 2019.

He issued the plea for action after it emerged there have been more than 35,000 cancellations on Scotland’s railways since 2011, including many affecting services on lines linking Barrhead and Neilston with Glasgow.

Mr Carlaw criticised Transport Minister Michael Matheson and his predecessor Humza Yousaf for failing to improve the train network.

“Punctuality on our trains is at its worst in more than a decade and thousands of cancellations have been revealed,” said Mr Carlaw. “Train passengers are owed an apology from the SNP for this disgraceful level of service but, instead of giving passengers a break, the SNP government has waived sanctions that would have punished operators for missing targets.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We expect – indeed, we demand – better from the rail operator and the Transport Secretary continues to work closely with them to ensure that we continue to see improvements in the days to come.”