Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Alex Fergusson has written to the Scottish Transport Minister urging him to speed up important works on the A77 in order to prevent the temporary closures of recent times. Speaking from his constituency office Mr Fergusson said:-
“The A77 is the main artery between Stranraer and the central belt of Scotland – indeed it is the only artery. When it is closed, the only available detour is horrendously long and much more dangerous. While this is certainly inconvenient for motorists, it is positively life-threatening where the emergency services are involved and these closures need to be kept to a minimum.
“My recent correspondence with Transport Scotland has revealed that, while there is a programme of works in the pipeline, it is to be carried out over a number of years out of the normal maintenance budget. That is simply not good enough.
“I have therefore taken the issue up with the Transport Minister, Derek Mackay MSP, and urged him to bring forward the timetable for these works to be carried out. It cannot be right that the vital works to this trunk route, which carries a disproportionately high percentage of HGV’s, is being treated with such a lack of urgency. The Scottish Government is set to receive an extra £500 million through the Barnett Formula because of the UK Government’s spending, so there are no excuses left for the Scottish Government. It should accelerate these works – the people of Stranraer deserve no less.”
