RAIL service is getting worse for Dalmuir according to the latest figures published by Scotrail.

Trains ending their journeys at the station are only on time 29.6 per cent of the time, down from 31.7 in July and 33.8 in April.

Only six stations out of 75 on Scotrail's list are worse than Dalmuir in the statistics for July 24 to August 20.

Clydebank's MSP Gil Paterson said the "mess" at the station must be fixed as a "matter of urgency".

Mr Paterson said: "Scotrail has to sort this mess at Dalmuir Train Station out as a matter of urgency.

"It is unacceptable that my constituents travelling on this line have to suffer delays a majority of the time, and in exchange for increasing ticket prices. It simply must improve."

Helensburgh Central has also improved, up from 46.4 per cent in May to 50.2 but concern over the axing of peak time express trains has caused the issue to be brought up in Scottish Parliament.

MSP for the area, Jackie Baillie, Scotrail chief executive, Phil Verster, met with members of Cardross Community Council, who voiced their frustration at a range of rail-related issues, including overcrowding, cancelled services and "station skipping" - when a late-running train misses out certain stops between Helensburgh and Dumbarton to make up the time.

The figures, which are only for trains ending at stations in Scotland and not passing through, found Balloch with 36 per cent of trains on time, an improvement from 29.8 per cent in April.

But like Dalmuir, Anniesland has slipped in performance, from 75.7 on time four months earlier to 73.4.

And Garscadden has also dropped, from 63.9 per cent in April to 59.2 per cent in the most recent figures.

MSP for Anniesland, Bill Kidd, said: “I am very disappointed to find that over a quarter of the journeys through Anniesland and 40 per cent through Garscadden are no longer on time.

"I'm aware Transport Minister Humza Yousef has been in touch with ScotRail to make them aware that performance levels are an integral part of the Franchise agreement and they have to improve, in the case of my constituents I think this has to be, dramatically”.

Scotrail blamed events such as a trespasser and a signalling failure at Hyndland and a late running freight train at Dumbarton for causing significant delays and cancellations.

A spokeswoman said their public performance level was around 90.7 per cent for the most recent period and outperformed those in England. This was despite a "challenging" few months with industrial action and the works at Queen Street station.

She said: "We are working hard every single day to make Scotland’s railway better. Our near £500 million investment programme will mean better trains, shorter journey times and more seats than ever before.

“With a record high level of customer satisfaction, our performance ranks amongst the best in the UK. However, we know we can do more. That is why we are looking at every part of our business to see what else we can do to deliver the best service and the best value for money for our customers.”