Brian Whittle MSP has given a frosty reception to the Scottish Government’s plans for transport improvements in the coming years, accusing the SNP-Green coalition of making vague promises with no detail.
After being delayed by the pandemic, the Scottish Government published STPR2, the government’s proposed programme for improvements to Scotland’s transport network over the next decade or more. Although the proposals do make reference to improving the A77 and A75, which South Scotland MSP Brian has long campaigned for, there are no concrete commitments for specific projects and no reference to building bypasses for any towns and villages along the route.
While welcoming the SNP’s belated recognition of the need for improvements to these roads, Brian criticised the lack of detailed proposals, despite the publication two years ago of a South West Transport Appraisal with dozens of potential upgrade options.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“After dodging commitments to improving the A77 and other south west transport infrastructure for years by saying they have to wait for STPR2, the Scottish Government have once again failed to deliver for the South West.
Drivers and communities up and down the A77 have been telling the Scottish Government for years what improvements need to be made, but they have been continually ignored.
I have been calling for a detailed programme of improvements and investment to make the A77 safer and more reliable since I became an MSP and I will continue to do so until the SNP-Green coalition finally listen or find themselves replaced in government by a party that will.
Whether it’s upgrading the Bellfield interchange, bypassing towns and villages further south or the need to invest in electric vehicle charging and hydrogen infrastructure, the ideas are there. Sadly, as so often with the SNP, the big ideas and words aren’t followed through.
With no detailed plans, no commitment to building further bypasses after Maybole and no mention at all of improvements to the Bellfield Interchange, STPR2 is looking like an opportunity denied for Ayrshire, courtesy of the SNP.”
