Rail users’ refund call

As we have reported, links between Cumbernauld and Motherwell were severed for three weeks during the cold snap - and services to Falkirk and Glasgow were also badly affected.

Network Rail has admitted that its staff were unable to clear snow and ice from the tracks, thus making both Cumbernauld and Greenfaulds Station no-go areas.

The scenario also failed to stem the build-up of traffic on the A80.

The closure of both stations meant that an alternative to road travel was out of the question in Cumbernauld. Season ticket holders who were inconvenienced can now get an extension to their card - and unused tickets can also be refunded at Cumbernauld Station.

Central Scotland List MSP Jamie Hepburn who complained to Scotrail about the shutdown said this week: “I’m glad that Scotrail have gone some way to accept the effects of this disruption.”

That view was echoed by Andrew Stephen of the Cumbernauld Commuters Association, who said: ‘‘This is to be welcomed and it is totally just.

“I think people would have been right peeved had this not been offered.“

He added: “Having said that, I understand that as the problem stemmed from Network Rail and not Scotrail, so this is a bit of a goodwill gesture.”

Alternatively refunds can be arranged via ScotRail Customer Relations can be contacted at ScotRail Customer Relations, Freepost RLYA-YLLH-BBUE, Fort William, PH33 6RX or on 0845 601 5929.