The Scottish Government has unveiled its new transport strategy – but the plans have been blasted as “vague” by Ayrshire politicians.
Ministers have made 45 recommendations to guide transport investment decisions over the next 20 years.
The 44-page Strategic Transport Projects Review only mentions Ayrshire twice, and only as map labels to specify the precise geographical location of the area.
The report makes brief mention of the A77 and the A75, saying: “STPR2 recommends that safety, resilience and reliability improvements are made on the A75 and A77 strategic road corridors, in turn supporting placemaking opportunities.
“This would include, but is not limited to enhancing overtaking opportunities, widening or realigning carriageways and improving junctions.
“To encourage greater use of public transport and enable regeneration activities, consideration would also be given to upgrading or relocating the railway station in Stranraer.”
However, politicians have criticised SNP transport minister Michael Matheson’s plans, saying that they lack detail.
South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth, responding to Matheson’s statement in Holyrood last Thursday (January 20), said: “Given the Government’s track record on transport, few communities will believe that the vague commitments that have been made in the review will be delivered.
“After years of being the forgotten region, why should communities in Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire in the south-west believe the cabinet secretary when all they are being offered is vague commitments
to possible improvements to the A75 and A77, with no commitments to recognising the strategic importance of Cairnryan to Scotland’s economy?”
Conservative MSP Brian Whittle echoed Smyth’s sentiments, adding: “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.
“With no detailed plans, no commitment to building further bypasses, STPR2 is looking like an opportunity denied for Ayrshire, courtesy of the SNP.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here