BAD weather, infrastructure problems and trespassers are among the reasons that have caused thousands of cancelled train services on the Gourock and Wemyss Bay lines.

Figures obtained from ScotRail through Freedom of Information laws show that services along the two local train routes have been cancelled more than 3,659 times since 2017.

West Scotland MSP Neil Bibby, who is a transport spokesperson for Scottish Labour, described the number of cancellations as 'extraordinary' as he put the problems down to a lack of investment in rail infrastructure.

Points failures - which related to faults with moveable pieces of track and the operating equipment that enables trains to change tracks - were the most common cause of cancellations, with no fewer than 442 logged.

While the majority of points failures did not have a cause listed, 93 were put down to problems with heaters not working properly during severe snow and ice.

The second most common cause of cancellations was incidents relating to drivers, which includes issues like driver shortages, coupling issues and sickness.

Other infrastructure-related problems - like third rail defects and technical failures above the solebar - made up a significant number of the cancellations.

Mr Bibby told the Telegraph passengers were not getting the service they deserved.

He said: "This is an extraordinary number of cancellations for just one part of the rail service.

"This community has been badly let down by the lack of investment in our rail network.

"Rail passengers all over Scotland are being asked to pay more for less – how can we boost passenger numbers if we can’t deliver a service which is both reliable and affordable?"

Services stopped on 89 occasions due to trespassers, while objects on the line prevented train travel 156 times.

Another 32 cancellations related to disorder, drunks or trespass and 59 cancellations were due to passengers taking ill.

A total of 112 were relating to brake and brake systems faults.

In addition to causing points failures, severe weather was responsible for a further 212 incidents.

Of these incidents, related to snow affecting infrastructure that is the responsibility of Network Rail.

Seventy seven animals were unfortunate enough to be struck by a train.

People refusing to pay their tickets, power failures and fires caused by vandals were among the least common causes.

Phil Campbell, ScotRail's head of customer operations, said: "Everyone across Scotland’s railway works tirelessly to deliver a safe, reliable, and robust service for our customers.

"We understand and share the frustration of our customers when things do not go to plan, so we’ll continue to work flat out to deliver the service they expect and deserve.

"Our customers have been impacted by recovery from the pandemic, widespread disruption across the Great Britain rail network caused by strike action, which has been particularly frustrating as ScotRail staff have not been involved in the vast majority of these strikes."

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "We’re working extremely hard to deliver a safe and reliable railway for Scotland.

"We understand that delays and cancellations can be frustrating and our teams will continue to respond and work proactively to keep passengers moving."