The Scottish Government will fund a study on whether to open a railway station at Faslane.

SNP Transport Secretary Michael Matheson has agreed to an £85,000 investigation in to whether there should be an an extra stop on the West Highland line at the home of the Trident nuclear deterrent.

His party remains vigourously opposed to the submarine-based missile system but believes the base itself should be the HQ of an independent Scottish navy.

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Faslane is Scotland's biggest industrial site and is set to expand as the UK transfers its entire submarine fleet to the Clyde.

The study will be carried out by the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership. Its Frank Roach said: "We are already working on Faslane: The Case for Change alongside our partners, studying connectivity at the base which is Scotland's biggest single employer site."

Mr Roach told The Scotsman: "It is scheduled to grow in the coming years with new vessel deployment and headquarters functions."