The SNP have been urged to heed the calls in the UK Government’s Union Connectivity Review and support plans for major improvements to key roads in South West Scotland.
The Review, which was led by Sir Peter Hendy, has identified both the A77 and A75 as key routes which would benefit from investment. The document highlighted the importance of both roads as key links with Northern Ireland via the ferry terminals at Loch Ryan, with around £46million of goods being moved along the A75 alone every day.
Safety on both roads, as well as a lack of suitable diversion routes were also identified as ongoing problems. The report makes a number of recommendations including a direct plea to the Scottish Government to improve the A77 and support journeys between Belfast, Glasgow and Aberdeen. It also suggests that, as improvements to the A75 would have direct benefits to parts of the UK outsides Scotland, that the UK Government offer direct funding to support road improvements there.
Scottish Conservative MSP Brian Whittle, who has long campaigned for investment in these routes to improve road safety and boost the local economy by strengthening links with Northern Ireland, says the UCR’s assessment should be a wake-up call for the SNP.
The Scottish Government refused to contribute to the Review, which was commissioned by the UK Government.
Brian Whittle MSP said “I’m delighted that the Union Connectivity Review has added its weight to the calls for investment in the A77 and other roads in the South West by the Scottish Government.
Improvements on the A77 could save lives, cut emissions in towns and villages and boost our local economy.
The SNP have repeatedly failed to match their words with deeds when it comes to the A77 & A75.
Their decision not to co-operate with the UCR was petty politics of the worst kind and a disservice to everyone who uses these roads.
Rather than picking another fight with the UK Government about devolution, the Scottish Government should welcome this report and get on with upgrading these roads to make them safer and benefit communities across the South West.
After years of underinvestment by the SNP, and Labour before them, this report should be a wake-up call for the SNP Government.
It’s time to for the Scottish Government to put their money where their mouth is and commit to a significant programme of improvements to the A77 and other roads in the South West.”
