CALLS for a taskforce to consider the impact of the full road closures on the A77 have been rebuffed by the Transport Secretary.
The reported increasing use of overnight closure along the trunk road has infuriated motorists, forcing them on detours of hours and hundreds of miles long.
This has lead to calls from the A77 Action Group for the formation of a task force to look into the impact of the closures as the road has been reduced to one lane on 3000 out of 3652 days since 2014.
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth backed the calls for a taskforce in parliament, calling on Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop to respond to the request.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary committed to a round table meeting with stakeholders to discuss the issues raises – but she stopped short of committing to a permanent taskforce.
Speaking after the session, Colin Smyth added: “I am determined that the request from the A77 group to create a task force to consider issues relating to the impact of the reported increased use of full road closures on the A77 will not be forgotten and kicked into the long grass, as happens so often with this Government.
“Whilst I am pleased the Cabinet Secretary committed to round table discussions with key stakeholders – that needs to be on a regular basis. We see that in other areas of Scotland such as the A83. We shouldn’t be treated any differently in the south west.
“Everyone understands that some closures are needed for road safety reasons. However, when the closure is in a rural location, the diversion is often lengthy and drives traffic on to small rural roads, which are simply not built for HGVs, causing damage and disruption to communities.
“We need proper planning and consideration and while I was pleased the Cabinet Secretary recently took the time to meet with myself and the action group, we need to ensure we get action and not just more warm words.”
