ROLLING upgrades are needed to make the A75 road fit to cope with modern traffic volumes, and it will take both the UK Government and the Scottish Government to deliver.
That’s the message from MP John Cooper after he again raised the so-called Euroroute at Westminster.
He told a debate on cross-border connections that the Labour UK Government is offering no clarity on money earmarked by the previous Conservative Government for the road.
And he added that while First Minister John Swinney has visited the A75, his Holyrood administration is not gripping the issues.
The MP for Dumfries and Galloway said: “The A75 is a classic example of where the UK Government ought to act in the best interests of the people of Britain, and not allow devolution to be an excuse for inaction.
‘”Full dualling of this road is improbable, but we can bring in improvements to deconflict ferry traffic and locals, and give drivers more safe opportunities to pass lumbering artics.
“Livelihoods – and indeed lives – are truly at risk here.”
Mr Cooper said that the A75 continues to need safety improvements, adding: “The A75 is gloriously titled the Euroroute, but set aside any notions of a multi-laned, ribbon of shining asphalt. It is largely two lanes, is filled with dangerous bends, blind dips, adverse camber, and grinds through villages which should have been bypassed decades ago.
“It is the key traffic artery running right through Dumfries and Galloway, yes. But it is also the critical link between Northern Ireland and Scotland and England.
“It is screaming out for improvements, yet the road is treated with supreme indifference by the Scottish Government.”
He called on Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill to confirm that the UK Department of Transport has a stake in seeing a rolling programme of improvements on the A75 implemented on both safety and economic grounds.
But he added: “Miss McNeill was able only to repeat what the Chancellor said at the Budget that money for the A75 was available, specifically around bypassing Crocketford and Springholm. Again, detail was skimpy and we all know so much more needs to be done.”