SOUTH Scotland MSP Brian Whittle is upping the ante in the campaign to improve the south west’s trunk roads.

The local MSP has given his backing to a petition launched by his colleague Finlay Carson, the MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries. The online petition demands action from the Scottish Government to tackle the potholes on the A77 in Ayrshire and the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway.

Whittle has been campaigning for a programme of long-term investment in these trunk roads to improve safety and boost the economy. With these roads carrying hundreds of HGVs and thousands of cars every day, the MSPs want to see action to deal with the plague of potholes that are making life a misery for drivers.

Brian is urging everyone who uses these roads to sign the petition and send the message loud and clear to Transport Secretary Michael Matheson that the South West needs better roads, now.

You can sign up to the petition at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/a75-and-a77-pothole-petition

Brian Whittle MSP said: “Whether it’s on my Facebook page, e-mails in my inbox or when I’m out and about, no other local issue causes as much public frustration as the state of the roads.

The A77 and A75 are vital to the future of the area and it should be obvious to the Scottish Government that they need to commit to a series of long term improvements.

However, these roads need investment right now. Not a week goes by without someone bursting a tyre or damaging their car in a pothole somewhere on the A77. Michael Matheson needs to get the message that we need more and better repairs to our trunk roads.

This petition is a chance to make it clear to the Scottish Government that we want real action to improve our roads and I hope anyone who uses them will sign up.”