A77 campaigner feels Scottish Government has 'ignored and neglected' road
Group meets with Transport Secretary today
An A77 campaigner insists he will demand to know why the Scottish Government has ‘ignored and neglected’ the trunk road during a meeting at Holyrood today.
Willie Scobie wants Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop to commit to setting up a task force and to spending money on the road that runs from Glasgow, through Ayrshire and on to Cairnryan.
The seasoned activist believes the major southwest thoroughfare has been dismissed for far too long, particularly after a government report promised upgrades more than two years ago.
And he feels he must come out with new promises during his sit down with Ms Hyslop.
Willie said: “Out of the last 10 years, which is 3,650 days, the road has been reduced on 3,000 days to single carriageway, because of landslides.
“The transport minister wasn’t aware of these landslides, that’s more than they get on the A83 at The Rest and Be Thankful.
“So, we want some recognition and a commitment from her that she will spend money to upgrade the A&& to dual carriageway.”
Willie warns jobs are being lost and haulage companies are moving out of Scotland because of the state of the road.
And he wants funding to help modernise and grow the Scottish economy as a whole.]
“The whole of Scotland on trunk roads receives so much spend,” he continued.
“Yet our spending over the last 10 years is 0.04 per cent, which is abysmal.
“This is the most important trunk road in terms of the central belt to Scotland, with all its warehouses and productivity—it goes to Northern Ireland. Why it’s being ignored is far beyond our ken.
“But we want to ask the transport minister why that is the case.”
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has promised to meet Willie and his group during the trip to Edinburgh.
The Labour politician urged the Scottish Government to press ahead with upgrades to both the A77 and the A75.
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.