Priority road projects set out

NEW research has identified a series of priority projects that transport leaders believe could drive forward improvements to the A75 and A77.

The South West Scotland Transport Alliance (SWSTA) commissioned a study which has identified a list of upgrades - nine on the A75 and 11 on the A77 - that it says could be realistically delivered in the coming years.

It has shared those with the Scottish Government, political party leaders and Transport Scotland amid calls for a continuous programme of safety, environment and economic-enhancing improvements to be delivered during the next Scottish Parliament.

SWSTA commissioned Strategic Transport Consulting to carefully study what they could be, based on a criteria including safety, policy alignment, cost and timescale.

The expert analysis - compiled using publicly-available data - scores projects on that basis, ranking them in three levels of prioritisation.

STC’s report states: “Highest priority measures include bypasses of key settlements, overtaking capacity at critical sections and junction upgrades where freight flows are most concentrated.

“These targeted actions will deliver the greatest safety, reliability, and economic benefits relative to cost, while also improving the quality of life for local communities.”

And it concludes: “Upgrading the A75 and A77 is both a strategic necessity and a justifiable investment.

“Delivery of a phased, prioritised programme will strengthen Scotland’s connectivity, enhance safety, support regional regeneration and reinforce the UK’s transport resilience in the years ahead.”

The suggested priority improvements to the A75 stated in the report are as follows:

Tier one

• Crocketford - Springholm: Bypass of both communities
• Gretna - Annan: Add overtaking capacity at the Annan Bypass
• Annan - Hardgrove: Add overtaking lanes to improve overtaking opportunities

Tier two

• Newton Stewart - Barlae: Realignment and add overtaking lanes to improve overtaking opportunities
• Hardgrove - Collin: Realignment of road to improve overtaking opportunities

Tier three

• Castle Douglas - Gatehouse of Fleet: Add overtaking lanes to improve overtaking opportunities
• Springholm - Castle Douglas: Add overtaking lanes to improve overtaking opportunities
• Gatehouse of Fleet - Newton Stewart: Provision of overtaking lanes between Gatehouse of Fleet and Creetown
• Dumfries Bypass enhancement: Upgrading of the bypass to full dual carriageway or Construction of southern bypass

Meanwhile the suggested priority improvements for the A77 are:

Tier one

• n Ayr-Minishant: Overtaking lanes between Ayr and Minishant and Minishant Bypass
• n Turnberry - Girvan: Realignment (assumed to be committed)
• n Turnberry: Turnberry Bypass

Tier two

• Maybole - Kirkoswald: Some minimal widening and introduction of overtaking lanes
• Girvan: Girvan Bypass
• Lendalfoot: Lendalfoot Bypass
• Cairnryan: Cairnryan Bypass

Tier three

• Kirkoswald - Turnberry: Kirkoswald Bypass
• Ballantrae - Cairnryan: Realignment
• Cairnryan - Innermessan: Some minimal widening and introduction of overtaking lanes
• A751: Widening and upgrade of junction with the A77 and A751

Speaking on behalf of SWSTA, Stena Line regional operations manager Andy Kane said: “A programme of continuous improvement for the A75 and A77 is desperately needed so that businesses and communities can plan for the future with confidence.

“The upgrades our study have identified are not the complete solution, but they offer up practical, well considered options about where progress can be realistically achieved, improving safety, enhancing the economy and helping the environment.

“These are discussions which we hope to progress quickly with the next Scottish Government.”

SWSTA is seeking commitments from all of Scotland’s political parties to set out a timetabled programme of improvement for the A75 and A77 if they are in power at Holyrood after May’s election.