AN MSP has visited the site of a landslip near a main rail route causing major travel disruption for commuters in East Ayrshire.

Tory MSP Oliver Mundell met with engineer workers at the site of the Nith Valley railway which runs through the Dumfriesshire constituency.

The line has been closed since Monday, February 10 after it fell victim to Storm Ciara which resulted in a devastating landslip.

Commuters in stations across Cumnock and Doon Valley have been left stuck in the middle, with the option of a replacement bus service as only services between Kilmarnock and Glasgow, and Dumfries and Kilmarnock continue to operate.

The landslip was caused after 90mph winds and extreme rainfall battered the nearby River Nith causing an embankment to erode beside the line.

Mr Mundell met with Network Rail engineers and specialist contractors Amco-Giffen working round the clock to carry out repairs.

The MSP said: “This is a major operation and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn what is involved in rebuilding the embankment and reinstating the railway line.

“It is apparent that the damage is severe and it makes you appreciate the force of the river and the destructive power it had when fuelled by the extreme wet weather.

“I know that the team here are working very hard in difficult weather conditions to get the railway rebuilt and re-opened for passenger services as quickly as possible.”

It is hoped “weather permitting” that the line can reopen on March 16.

Tom Podger, Network Rail’s project manager for the reinstatement work said: “Flooding caused by Storm Ciara has led to significant damage beneath the track and we will need to rebuild the supporting embankment before reinstating and re-opening the line.

“The landslip is located in a difficult location above the river and the remoteness of the site presents a challenge in getting equipment and materials to the site.

“We are though working through these issues as quickly as possible to get the line re-opened for customers.”