Local MSP Brian Whittle has criticised the Scottish Government for pursuing projects like the electrification of the A9 while roads in South West Scotland are left full of potholes.
The South Scotland MSP, who is a long standing critic of the condition of roads in the area, spoke during a Members Debate in Holyrood around the condition of Scotland’s roads.
During the debate the MSP spoke about his recent experience travelling along the length of the A77 in an HGV. Before challenging the Transport Minister to not only repair the existing damage to the road but to start planning now for longer term improvements.
The MSP also offered a new, tongue in cheek plan to find the cash for fixing the road, saying:
“Rather treat this as an infrastructure issue, I’ve decided it’s a question of Culture
The A77 is no longer a road DPO, it is a kinetic sculpture, which aims to reflect the Scottish Government’s approaches to dealing with health, education and the economy – crumbling under the pressure and full of holes.
And now, as the next part of this art installation, I’ll be applying to Creative Scotland for a grant to repair the roads. My working title is – “Competence, Or: How I learned to stop making excuses and got on with my job.”
You can watch Brian's full speech here - https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/members-business-the-condition-of-scotlands-roads-may-9-2018?clip_start=17:29:07&clip_end=17:33:32
