Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson has demanded to know why there is now a further delay to a long-awaited transport review for South West Scotland.
The local MSP’s call comes following Scottish Transport Secretary Michael Matheson responding to a question from South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine, where he confirmed that the South West Scotland Transport review ‘will be published in draft format by the end of this month’.
His response in the Scottish Parliament contradicts a response to Mr Carson last week in which he said the review, which is already behind schedule, would be published in ‘early June’.
Mr Carson had welcomed the imminent publication, but has now criticised this further delay to infrastructure projects getting started as a matter of urgency.
Commenting Finlay Carson MSP said: “The need for transport infrastructure being upgraded across the south-west has never been greater and this long-awaited review has already been delayed.
“I thought I was about to welcome it’s publication imminently following the Transport Secretary’s response to me, but now we face a further delay until the end of the month.
“This is hugely frustrating and the Scottish Government need to give greater urgency to this draft report being published.
“We need upgrades to our road and rail infrastructure in order to boost the local economy and create further opportunities, but that continues to be delayed by a Government who are specialists in dithering and delaying vital infrastructure projects.”
