CALLS to deploy the army to install a temporary bridge in Kirkcudbright have been rebuffed after the Scotland Office claimed it was ‘powerless to act’.
Dumfries and Galloway MP John Cooper has written to First Minister John Swinney asking him to contact the Scotland Office about the use of the Royal Engineers, the Army’s bridging experts, at Kirkcudbright, as the town has been cut in half since the closure of the bridge last month.
Mr Cooper said: “While locals and businesses in Kirkcudbright struggle with the massive inconvenience of the closure of the bridge over the Dee to vehicle traffic – it means big detours – I wondered if the Royal Engineers might offer a short-term solution.
“Any use of the Army for civilian matters has to be approved by the Scotland Office but – incredibly – they say they cannot instigate anything and have to wait for a request from the Scottish Government. Talk about the tail wagging the dog!”
He added: ‘It’s jaw-dropping that a UK Government Cabinet Minister such as the Secretary of State for Scotland has to wait for the First Minister to act. So much for the supposed reset in relations between Westminster and Holyrood.
“It’s supposed to be two governments working together these days, but instead it’s two governments ignoring the South-West of Scotland, both hiding behind the Scotland Act and devolution instead of delivering action.”
