A75 funding reduced in Autumn Budget
The Chancellor was asked to confirm £8 million was still on the table
Funding to conduct feasibility studies to bypass two villages in Dumfries and Galloway has been decreased by £3 million.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was asked by the South West Scotland Transport Alliance (SWSTA) along with other leading businesses to confirm if the promised £8 million was still on the table.
Last December, former Conservative Transport Secretary Mark Haper said that the funding would be paid to Transport Scotland to conduct the work at Springholm and Crocketford.
But at yesterday’s Autumn Budget review, it was announced that only £5 million in 2025-26 will be given to look into improving the A75.
Jamie Shovelin, Members Servicing Manager for Dumfries and Galloway’s Chamber of Commerce says that this money was less than they all expected but it’s enough to get plans underway.
“The feasibility study will be granted £5 million is okay and a start. It’s been a quiet few months on this issue so after hearing this news, what businesses really want now is for progress and movement on these road improvements.
“There has been plenty of talk of upgrades over the years but no real substance so yesterday’s announcement will hopefully get the ball rolling in the coming months to get this study started and how we can make real beneficial changes to an important road here in Dumfries and Galloway for both businesses and communities.”
The SWSTA – the group led by port operators Stena Line, P&O Ferries, and Belfast Harbour who are pushing for crucial upgrades to the A75 and A77 – says Dumfries and Galloway ‘cannot afford any further delays in work’.
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Nicola Abernethy, comms manager at Stena Line tells Greatest Hits Radio says a clear timetable for improvements for the A75 and A77 needs to be made, detailing what work will happen and when.
She adds that the feasibility studies are important: “These are two bottlenecks on the road that cause serious safety and environmental concerns.
“This funding is by no means a solution to all the problems along the A75, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.”
Speaking on behalf of SWSTA, Paul Grant, Trade Director, Irish Sea North, at Stena Line, says:
“Dumfries and Galloway cannot afford another false dawn and delay to the desperately needed work to make the A75 safer, greener, and better. Ultimately this is about helping to save lives, improve the environment, and boost the economy.
“Investment in the region is going to continue to be curtailed while this road remains sub-standard. The new UK Government has a real chance here to turn that around. We are keen to work with politicians at Westminster and Holyrood to make things happen.”