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 that 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.
Upgrades that it believes can be progressed as top priorities include the bypassing of Crocketford and Springholm on the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as the bypassing of Turnberry on the A77 in South Ayrshire.
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop asked the alliance – led by Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Belfast Harbour – to identify strategically important upgrades which it believed could be achieved quickly when she met them last year. SWSTA commissioned Strategic Transport Consulting (STC) 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:
“The prioritisation framework provides a rational basis for sequencing interventions. 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 A75 and A77 are the key arterial routes to and from the Irish Sea ferry ports at Cairnryan. Businesses and commuters have long argued that improvements would make the roads safer, greener and better
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 has 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.
It is also calling for the bypassing of Springholm and Crocketford to be delivered during the next Scottish Parliament – and to guarantee that this will be built as a dual-carriageway to future-proof the road for wider continuous improvement.
SWSTA has repeatedly called on the Scottish and UK Governments to convene a ministerial-led special joint taskforce, including SWSTA representatives, to focus on action, drive forward priority improvements – and consider how Westminster and Holyrood will be able to work together to achieve progress on both roads.
(Picture: Stuart Walker Photography)
