Progress hinted in A75 bypass campaign

MP for Dumfries and Galloway Richard Arkless met with campaigners from Springholm for the first time six months ago, discussing problems that residents face due to the volume and speed of traffic that passes through both villages on the A75.
Mr Arkless said: “There are two main areas to consider for Springholm and Crocketford — a bypass and further traffic calming measures.
“I am continuing to push for a bypass to be scoped and designed. Even if a capital commitment can’t be given at this stage we could begin to work toward achieving an agreement in principle from planners.”
Progress has been made, however, and Mr Arkless does feel that the ‘Scottish Government is listening and ready to help’.
He said: “Following the Transport Summit last year, it was clear that the needs of Springholm and Crocketford had to be prioritised as they had been neglected for far too long.
“I was pleased to see that the final report which followed the summit shared this view and recognised what needs to be done.”
Transport Minister Humza Yousad has committed to personally visiting in March to see firsthand the problems that the busy road poses to the villages.
Mr Arkless said: “I have written to Transport Scotland and asked for the completion of plans for traffic calming measures to be fast tracked, and I have also written to Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to outline key priorities for his visit in March.”
Christopher Wybrew and Dorothy King, both residents of Springholm, have been leading the campaign for improvements to the traffic situation in the village, and are glad to see some movement towards a resolution.
They said: “To put this in its historical context, it is worth recalling that the first national media report of Springholm A75 traffic concerns was of those raised by parents in the mid 1960s when the new primary school was under consideration.”