Are A77 improvements between Ayr and Stranraer in doubt after SNP-Green deal?
Concerns about impact of new power sharing deal on key south-west route
There are fears the co-operation deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens could block any further investment on the key A77 trunk road between Ayr and Scotland's ferry port for Northern Ireland at Cairnryan.
The power-sharing agreement, which will see Greens co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna later given jobs as junior ministers, was approved by members of the Scottish Greens at an EGM in Glasgow on Saturday, having already been ratified by the SNP.
In it the parties agreed to pursue a raft of environmental policies but South of Scotland Conservative MSP Brian Whittle is calling for reassurance routes like the A77 will be upgraded.
A campaign has been underway for a number of years for the road to be made into a dual carriageway to cope with ferry traffic for Cairnryan.
No new roadbuilding pledge
He told Clyde 1 News: "It is a green policy there will be no new roads built and I cannont image the deal they have struck with the Scottish Government would renege on that.
"They have a policy that all road building has a negative impact on the enviroment.
"I think there are instances, like the A77, where the development of a proper road infrastructure could have a very positive effect, ending the stop-start of the big trucks which come down the road to Cairnryan.
"I will be putting in questions to get them to tell us what their position currently is on construction in the south-west.
Upgrades for safety reasons permitted
Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvey told us no decision have been made.
Lorna Slater said: "People will not be short of ways to get around, and they should be reassured that, of course, for safety reasons we will absolutely to do those upgrades to keep people safe.
When questioned about plans for the A77 Patrick Harvie told {{stationName News}}: "Individual projects will be looked at as part of the Transport Projects Review. There's a very big piece of work in deciding which projects go ahead.
"The idea that you can just build your way out of congestion is dead. It doesn't work, and it hasn't worked for decades, and so I'm very pleased that we're going to see a change in direction."
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