Ferry operators in south-west Scotland are leading calls for any new bypass on the A75 to be a dual carriageway in both directions.

The South West Scotland Transport Alliance (SWSTA) claims that dualling the long-awaited bypass for the villages of Springholm and Crocketford is the only option that should be considered, says the BBC.

As part of a feasibility study into the potential new route, Transport Scotland (TS) is currently assessing options. The study is exploring the possibility of a single carriageway, a single carriageway with overtaking lanes and a dual carriageway.

The A75 is the region’s main arterial route, running west from Gretna to Stranraer and serving the Irish Sea ports at Cairnryan.

The SWSTA group, which is led by Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Belfast Harbour, has completed its submission to the public consultation and says failing to dual the section of road would be “failing the communities surrounding the road and those who travel on it”.

Lesley Fletcher, Stena Line’s port manager at Cairnryan, said as far as they were concerned it would be a pointless exercise if the bypass was not a dual carriageway.

“We need to look to the long term, and I think a dual carriageway would be essential in reducing the number of collisions, cutting carbon emissions and enhancing the economy,” she said.

“Obviously, it’s a gateway to Ireland, and I think it would be a false economy to make any part of this a single carriageway.”

(Picture: Mapillary)