An MSP said he’s ‘disappointed’ with the 'vague commitments' in a Scottish Government transport report to make improvements to the A77 through Ayrshire.
The road is a vital link between Glasgow and the South West of Scotland, linking the towns of Giffnock, Newton Mearns, Kilmarnock, Prestwick, Ayr, Girvan and Stranraer.
However, the report only mentions 'potential' improvement schemes on sections of the A77, and the A75, which links Stranraer and its ferry ports at Cairnryan with the A74 at Gretna.
The issue of Scotland’s roads was discussed last week during Ministerial questions, when it was revealed that the delivery plan for the Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review report (STPR) will be delayed for another year.
Although the final STPR2 report was published last week, there’s few details in relation to improving the A75 and A77.
In fact, the few mentions the A77 does get in the report, it merely states that sections of it have been 'highlighted for 'further consideration' for 'potential improvements.'
But the Scottish Government won’t publish their delivery plan on the recommendations until 2023.
South Scotland Labour List MSP, Colin Smyth, said: “Given this Government’s track record on transport, few communities will believe that the vague commitments made in a review that is already years late, will ever be delivered.
“I’ve always said the south west is the forgotten region of Scotland when it comes to infrastructure improvements, but the final STRP2 report shows the Scottish Government has nothing but contempt for the region.
“STPR2 remains full of vague promises and no detail, it is just not good enough.
“The Green-SNP Government has already shelved the idea of dualling the A75 and A77 which was included in an initial list of projects in a January 2020 Government instigated Transport Study for the South West.
"This is despite having pledged to press ahead with investing what is likely to now be over £4bn dualling the A9.
“They claimed it was for environmental reasons, but in reality there is nothing environmentally friendly about 40-tonne plus wagons rattling past the front doors of the many villages along the A75 and A77.
“All local people in our region are asking for is that a fair share of the roads budget, whatever level that budget is, goes on improving the A75 and A77 - and that’s what I will continue fighting for.”
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said a “huge lack of certainty” around the available capital budget and fiscal policy meant the delivery plan could not be published yet, adding: “The Delivery Plan will follow in 2023, which will include more detail on prioritisation and delivery timescales.”
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