DRIVERS have had to contend with more than 700 temporary traffic lights in recent years on the A76 Cumnock to Dumfries road.

The incredible statistic was uncovered by Upper Nithsdale MSP Oliver Mundell who asked Transport Minister Humza Yousaf to provide him with figures for the last three years.

He was dumbfounded by the answer — 723 — which translates into traffic lights being deployed on an almost daily basis in Nithsdale.

Mr Mundell said: “These figures are absolutely astonishing and highlight the major disruption in recent years that Upper Nithsdale residents and visitors have had to put up with.

“I was well aware of the disruption on the A76 but for there to have been over 700 temporary set of lights in the last three years on the route utterly beggars belief.

“The constant delays and disruptions on this trunk route is continuing to harm the local economy and the Scottish Government have let the situation go on for far, far too long and now we see temporary traffic lights have been deployed on an almost daily basis.

“This has been one of the major issues constantly raised with me by constituents in this area and the Scottish Government need to outline a clear plan of when works on this route will be finished as soon as possible.

“It is time they took responsibility to ensure that motorists can once and for all enjoy a smooth journey on the A76.”

At First Minister’s Question Time Mr Mundell, proudly wearing his Sanquhar Primary school tie, challenged Nicola Sturgeon on the situation.

She told him: “Of course we like to avoid the situation of temporary traffic lights where they can be avoided but in some situations where we have had roadworks, landslips or adverse weather, then that is unavoidable.

“I would be happy to come back to the member particularly on the detail of the amount of times temporary traffic lights have been used and we want to keep that to a minimum.

“Sometimes repair works are unavoidable in order to ensure a necessary and effective road system across our country.