ASSURANCES are being sought from the new Labour government about the long awaited upgrades to the A75.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer to confirm his position on improving the Euro-route, a commitment made by the previous Government.
In particular, Mr Carson highlighted the importance of Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review and the impact that upgrading the A75 would bring. He wrote: “Here in South West Scotland, in particular, Sir Peter mentioned the A75, highlighting some of the economic and connectivity benefits the A75 brings, along with safety concerns that a number of stakeholders had raised.
“It further recommended that the UK Government offer funding to support the upgrade to the A75 to improve journeys between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.”
Mr Carson pointed out also that additionally the Scottish Government Strategic Transport Projects Review also identified improving the safety, resilience and reliability of the route as a priority.
He continued: “Since these publications, the previous UK Government made multiple commitments to follow these recommendations, committing £8 million to work with the Scottish Government to conduct a feasibility study into the bypasses around Springholm and Crocketford stating there was more to come – the dialogue and work surrounding the feasibility study was, up until the General Election, still ongoing.
“I write to you to ask if your government will continue with the commitment to assist with the funding of these long overdue bypasses, and furthermore, to seek an assurance that you will consider further infrastructure projects on the A75 and other major routes across my constituency of Galloway and West Dumfries.”
Hoping for an early response to his letter, he added: “It is important we get the new Prime Minister on board as quickly as possible after all the previous good work undertaken by the feasibility study.”
