Cumnock and Mauchline should have their own train stations , according to the Scottish Green Party.

They made the suggestion in their Rail for All programme announced last week. Their £22 billion plan for revitalising the railway network includes train lines and stations “where realistically possible” for all towns with a population greater than 5,000, something they would like to see by 2027.

They want 100mph trains on the Glasgow and South Western secondary main line from Glasgow to Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries as well as opening stations in Cumnock, Mauchline, and Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway.

They are also calling for one publicly owned rail operator to be formed via an integration of ScotRail and Network Rail (Scotland).

John Finnie, Green Party MSP for Highlands and Islands, said the proposals would help the country pursue a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

He said: “The key principle is to make the rail network accessible to everyone. Our aim is, as far as realistically possible, for every town with a population of over 5,000 to be connected to the network. That would see a host of new stations developed across the country, with existing lines upgraded, and previously closed lines given a new lease of life.”

Laura Moodie, the party’s lead candidate for the South Scotland list said: “Speeding up that line between Dumfries and Kilmarnock is frankly essential to the future of Scotland.

“I can’t see any other way to keep the south properly integrated than by improving those connections from the Central Belt to the south of Scotland.

“The plans propose making that line fully electrified, adding the stations at Mauchline, Cumnock, and Thornhill. All those communities have had people arguing for bringing trains back to them or improving the connections. It will make that line run at 100mph, which is a much, much, much more viable alternative to driving.”