A  West Dunbartonshire councillor has asked for the backing of the police as the authority fights for a U-turn on proposals to slash opening hours at railway station ticket offices.

Councillor Sally Page raised her concerns – and those of colleagues – with Police Scotland's divisional commander for the area over ScotRail's plan to cut ticket office hours at railway stations around the area - and to close the facility at Clydebank station completely.

At a meeting of the housing and communities committee at West Dunbartonshire Council (WDC), Councillor Page asked if officers would be able to “influence and help” to ensure staffing levels remain at these stations.

She said: “Earlier this week we had a full council meeting that was called to discuss the proposed staffing cuts to the ScotRail line between Balloch and Glasgow.

“All members were in agreement that we didn’t want to see any cuts to the current staffing levels and we all wish there would be longer hours of staff at our stations.

“I wonder if the police had any part in this ScotRail consultation and, when you are talking to the British Transport Police, can you have an influence at all to help the staffing levels remain at the ScotRail stations?”

As well as the proposed closure of the Clydebank station ticket office, ScotRail also wants to cut the opening hours of the ticket offices at Dalmuir, Dumbarton Central, Alexandria, Renton, Balloch, Cardross and Helensburgh Central.

The public consultation on the ScotRail proposals closed on Wednesday, February 2.

Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, divisional commander for Argyll and West Dunbartonshire, confirmed that she would be meeting with the Chief Superintendent of the British Transport Police (BTP), Gill Murray, to discuss various safety issues in the area. 

She said she would raise the issue of staffing at the area's railway stations during the meeting.

Ms Ratcliff said: “We have been working very closely with local officers in BTP and I would hope to bring an update before you soon.

“There are some initiatives that will benefit our railways and young people coming in from other areas of the country.

"We hope this will have a knock on effect on anti-social behaviour and impact the surrounding communities.

“We are always looking for ways to work in partnership with each other and I am confident we will be able to bring something along to the next meeting that will provide encouragement as we go into the summer period.

“I will speak to Chief Superintendent Murray around the staffing issues you have raised.”