At Monday’s meeting of Lochmaben Community Council it was revealed by the ward members that plans have been put into motion which may see Lochmaben bypassed by traffic heading for the motorway.
Annandale North Councillor Stephen Thompson, who sits on the economy, environment and infrastructure committee, explained that Dumfries and Galloway Council will be pushing the Scottish Government for action.
He said: “We are going to lobby to try to get something done.”
And after the meeting his fellow councillor Adam Wilson added: “There’s been a big review of Scottish traffic projects and in the submission from Dumfries and Galloway Council it says there needs to be a better road from Dumfries to Lockerbie and the M74.
He explained that long-term improvements to the road would divert heavy traffic away from thundering through Lochmaben.
He said: “The idea is that we don’t want it going though 30mph areas.”
Calling for immediate action, community council member Anne Wyllie said: “Why can’t we do something in the interim?”
Councillor Wilson is keen to see changes made to the A709 in Lochmaben in the near future and referencing Biggar, which has a new 20mph limit on the A702, he said: “If they can do it there, there is no reason why it
can’t happen here.”
Vice chairman Tony Hancock called the road a ‘rat run’ getting 8000 vehicles a day and has suggested contacting Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.
