South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle says Transport Scotland have questions to answer following the announcement that the 50mph speed limit on the A77 between Bogend Toll and Dutchhouse Roundabout is to be made permanent.
The 50mph limit, which was put in place following a number of serious accidents on that stretch of road, was supposed to be a temporary measure until improvements could be made to the road. Since then, Transport Scotland have spent over £10 million improving road junctions and building two new flyovers. When these works were first completed the Transport Minister hailed them as a success and said it was now “appropriate to return this section of the route to the national speed limit.”
Now, after years of waiting for a final decision, the current Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf, has accepted a recommendation from Transport Scotland that the 50mph limit stays.
Brian has been actively campaigning for improvements to the A77 has criticised the apparent U-turn.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Changing a speed limit is always a source of controversy, but I think there are some serious question for Humza Yousaf and Transport Scotland to answer in this case. Having spent millions of pounds in the name of making this road safer, they appear to be saying that it’s still not safe enough for cars to travel faster than 50mph.
Considering many of the single lane country roads around the A77 have a higher speed limit than that, it’s difficult to understand this decision. Drivers and residents around the A77 were promised this section would be made safer and the national speed limit would be restored. Now we’re told this won’t be the case.
I have written to Transport Scotland and the Transport Minister for an explanation”
