Local MSP Brian Whittle has told the Scottish Government that it’s time to end the platitudes and start delivering when it comes to upgrading roads in the south west.
During a debate by the Scottish Conservatives on the need for roads investment across the country, Brian delivered a scathing broadside at the SNP Government’s failure to deliver on promises made by successive Transport Ministers.
The SNP have been accused of backing away from their commitments to upgrade roads across Scotland since they entered a coalition with the Scottish Greens. Most recently SNP Ministers were hesitant to agree that long pledged improvements to the A9 and A96 in the North of Scotland would actually be delivered.
In his speech, Brian stressed that improvements to roads like the A77 could actually benefit the environment. He argued that bypassing more of the towns and villages on the southern end of the route would improve local air quality and that improvements to known bottlenecks like the Bellfield interchange would mean fewer vehicles sitting in queues with their engines running.
Brian believes improvements in the south west’s roads can help create a “green superhighway network” in the area, pointing out that the major source of emissions from transport is the fuel that’s used. The MSP called for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and even hydrogen fuelling stations to be delivered as part of any package of improvements. As drivers move away from petrol and diesel, Brian challenged the SNP to recognise the need for roads to be upgraded for the vehicles of the future.
Brian Whittle MSP said “Time and again communities in the south west have been promised improved roads by the SNP, and that investment has never come.
Now, in collaboration with the Scottish Greens, they’re trying to find more excuses to avoid bringing roads like the A77, A71 and Bellfield Interchange up to a standard fit for the 21st century.
Upgrading these roads can not only deliver much needed safety improvements, but also reduce congestion in towns and villages, improving air quality. It also presents an ideal opportunity to futureproof the routes by installing the infrastructure for electric vehicle charging points and even hydrogen fuelling stations.
In their rush to sign up to the Scottish Greens simplistic and naïve approach to reducing emissions, the SNP are risking the future of communities and businesses in rural Scotland.
Improving Scotland’s road network can benefit the environment if it’s done in a sensible way and I’m determined to make these much needed upgrades happen.”
