The Scottish Government has been criticised for failing to hold talks with the UK Government about possible upgrades to the A75.
When Holyrood’s Strategic Transport Review was announced earlier this year, it included plans to realign the Euroroute at Springholm and Crocketford.
And last year Westminster’s Union Connectivity Review recommended that “the UK Government should make a commitment to support a significant upgrade” of the A75 – despite roads being a devolved matter.
However, Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson claimed during a Holyrood debate that the two governments have yet to discuss potential improvements.
The Tory member said: “Exactly six months ago, in this chamber, the First Minister and the then Minister for Transport, Graeme Dey, promised to engage with the United Kingdom Government on an upgrade to the A75, which is often referred to as ‘the goat track’, after it was singled out in the union connectivity review as the trunk road that was in most need of upgrade in the whole of the UK.
“Freight companies are now threatening to move their businesses away from Cairnryan, which would be a devastating blow to the economy of the south of Scotland. Stena Line, which operates a ferry service from Cairnryan, has also appealed to the First Minister to act immediately and make the A75 and A77 a priority.
“However, I am told that, to date, no meeting has been held – indeed, a date for such a meeting has not even been organised – despite requests being made by the UK Government.”
Current Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth told Mr Carson she had met with Stena Line in April.
She said: “That was a really positive meeting. It was also an opportunity to hear directly from them about their views on the need for improvements on both routes. That was the latest in a series of meetings that have taken place between ministers and ferry operators over a number of years.
“In response to Mr Carson’s substantive question about engagement with the UK Government on the issue, as he will be aware, the Union Connectivity Review claims to offer a level of funding support for the A75. We await the UK Government’s response to that.
“However, I will need to receive an assurance that any such funding would be additional and would not be top sliced by the UK Government, and I am sure that Mr Carson, as a proud member of this parliament, would agree.”
