It’s time to get serious about upgrading the road network in South West Scotland. That’s the message the A77 Action Group and South Scotland MSP Brian Whittle have taken to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf during a meeting earlier this week in the Scottish Parliament. Fellow MSPs John Scott and Finlay Carson, who represent constituencies along the route of the A77 and A75 joined Brian and the Action Group for the meeting.
The meeting is the latest step in a campaign that’s seen groups calling for both the A77 & neighbouring A75 to be dualled submit petitions to the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee. Brian Whittle MSP, who sits on the Petitions Committee has become one of the most vocal supporters of the cause and believes improving the area’s roads are vital to boosting the Ayrshire economy. Of particular concern is the risk that a lack of dual carriageway connections into the Port of Cairnryan, which operator Stena Line recently described as “the least accessible port across Europe”.
At the Meeting, the Transport Minister agreed to fund a full strategic review of the A77 and A75 as a first step towards examining options for future improvements.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“I’m pleased that the A77 Action Group have now had an opportunity to put their concerns directly to the Transport Minister. Along with the Ayrshire Growth Deal, a programme of investment and improvements in the A77, along with the A75, would give a massive boost to the Ayrshire economy in the years to come.
The section of A77 between Stranraer and Ayr is a real weak point in Scotland’s road network. It makes no sense for the main roads connecting Northern Ireland to the Central Belt and beyond to have a twisting single carriageway section with 8 speed limit in a single 40 mile stretch.
There’s a real need for greater joined up thinking when it comes to roads investment. We need to be planning for the long term rather than just attempting to alleviate today’s issues. That’s why I’m pushing for Transport Scotland to reconsider their plans for a Maybole bypass that isn’t dual carriageway and has little by way of infrastructure for cyclists.
I’m glad we’ve been able to make some progress on this issue but there’s still much more to do my fellow MSPs and I will continue to do all we can to support this campaign.
