More than 325,000 passenger journeys have been made on the half-hourly Larkhall-Glasgow Central electrified link, according to latest figures from train operator First ScotRail.

The Larkhall-Milngavie section of railway was reopened to passenger services last year. The £35m project included new stations at Larkhall, Merryton and Chatelherault in Lanarkshire and also an extension of the Northern Suburban Line in Glasgow from Maryhill to Anniesland with a new station at Kelvindale.

Transport minister Tavish Scott said: “I am delighted that the first new rail line to be reopened for 25 years has been such a success for Scotland’s rail passengers. 325,000 passenger journeys is well above predicted levels. The figures go to show our commitment to improving access to public transport to all areas of Scotland is really paying off.

"This rail line has already improved access to jobs, education and health services for the local communities involved and brought economic, social and environmental benefits. One year on, this is great news for Scotland."

Cllr Alistair Watson, chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, lead promoter of the Larkhall-Milngavie project, said: "These strong patronage figures for the first year of operation come as no surprise because we always believed the case to re-open the Larkhall branch line was compelling.

"It has been proven time and again, where investment is made to provide quality transport infrastructure, people will use it. The re-opening of the Larkhall branch line is already making a significant contribution to the economic regeneration of Lanarkshire and this progress looks set to continue.

The previous rail link to Larkhall was withdrawn in 1965 on the recommendation of the Beeching Report. In doing so, all passenger trains through the Lanarkshire town were removed at the stations at Blackwood, Coalburn, Lesmahagow, Stonehouse and Strathaven were closed.