A local politician has slammed ScotRail's plans to slash staffing numbers across West Dunbartonshire.

Jackie Baillie MSP has criticised the train operator, which came into Scottish Government ownership in 2022, for the plans.

Scotrail has earmarked Alexandria and Dalreoch for some of the largest cuts on their Scotland-wide hit list.

Balloch Central would close at 7pm while Dumbarton Central, Cardross and Helensburgh Central are also earmarked for cuts to opening hours.

In plans unveiled last week, Dalreoch will see one of the largest cuts in Scotland – with an 81.1 per cent reduction in hours.

ScotRail plans to open the office between 6.45am and 9am Monday to Thursday, 7am until 8.30am on Friday and from 9am until 2.15pm on Saturdays.

The proposed hours mean an 81.1 per cent reduction in opening times, with the station currently staffed from 6.30am until 8.24pm Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays.

Alexandria station - which is currently open from 6.45am until 7.39pm daily, except Sundays – will now be open from 6.45am until 9.45am Monday to Friday and 9.15am until 2.45pm on Saturday.

The proposal represents a 73.5 per cent cut in operating times.

ScotRail bosses also want to reduce opening times at Balloch station.

Under the plan, the booking office will be staffed from 6am until 12.40pm Monday to Thursday, 6am until 7pm on Fridays,  7am until 7pm on Saturday and 9am until 4.30pm on Sundays.

Balloch and Alexandria stations and rail services on the line have been plagued by anti-social behaviour and disorder in recent years.

Disorder on the line in recent years has been so bad that it has sparked a full-scale multi-agency response, requiring input from Police Scotland, British Transport Police and ScotRail.

Dumbarton Central is earmarked for a 31.6 per cent cut in staffed hours and would close at 8pm, except on Sundays, when the ticket office would open from 9am until 4pm.

Jackie Baillie has slammed the proposed plans.

She said: “I am absolutely opposed to these plans for drastic cuts to opening hours at many of our station booking offices throughout the Dumbarton constituency.

“I am clear that staffed rail stations promote passenger safety, help boost passenger confidence and are vital for assisting disabled travellers.

“I have real concerns about what will happen to passenger safety and the reliability of services for disabled commuters, should these cuts be allowed to go ahead.

“Services on the Balloch line and Balloch station itself have also been at the centre of violence and disorder in recent years and closure of these offices will allow thugs free reign to intimidate commuters.

“It is abhorrent that the Scottish Government, which has presided over so many cuts to our public services, would stand by and allow these cuts to booking offices to go ahead when they have only just hiked rail fares.

“Commuters are entitled to adequate services and security for their money.”