South Scotland MSP, Brian Whittle is calling on Scottish Government Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to take action over the number of broken street lights on the A77.
Brian has now lodged two questions on the issue in parliament since September in a bid to find out just how many lights aren't working and when drivers can expect to see the light again.
Commenting, Brian Whittle MSP said:
“At this time of year, when more of us are driving in the dark and the winter weather makes driving conditions more dangerous, it's totally unacceptable that so many of the street lights on the A77 aren't working. It shouldn’t require the intervention of a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the repair of these street lights to be a high priority. The A77 is one of the busiest roads in South Scotland, maintaining essential safety equipment like these street lights should be a top priority.”
Questions lodged by Brian Whittle MSP on A77 street lights.
Question S5W-02475: Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/09/2016
To ask the Scottish Government what action it can take to ensure the repair of 21 street lights on a two-mile stretch of the A77 at Symington.
Answered by Humza Yousaf (21/09/2016):
Transport Scotland is aware of the issues with lighting on the A77 between Symington and Bogend Toll, and work is continuing to resolve these. Following a recent site inspection and subsequent investigations by Scottish Power, a permanent repair solution is being agreed for the 12 remaining defective lighting units
Question S5W-04588: Brian Whittle, South Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, Date Lodged: 09/11/2016
To ask the Scottish Government how many street lights on the A77 between the Bankfield Roundabout and Fenwick are out of order, and when the repairs will be carried out.
Answered by Humza Yousaf (17/11/2016):
There are currently 16 dark lamp repairs identified on the A77 trunk road between Bankfield Roundabout and Fenwick. All outstanding repairs are programmed to be carried out during week commencing 21 November 2016 with the exception of the six dark lamps between Bogend and Symington. These six outstanding repairs are currently being investigated by the Contractor responsible for the A77 Bogend to Symington Project, due to the identification of underlying electrical issues.