Scottish Labour Leader, Richard Leonard MSP, has given his backing to the A77 Action Group and the Dual the A75 campaigns to seek major improvements in the two trunk roads.
Richard Leonard met with representatives of both the A75 and A77 groups and representatives of ferry company Stena Line along with local Labour MSP and Labour Transport Spokesperson Colin Smyth when he visited Stena Line’s Loch Ryan Port yesterday (Monday 6 August).
Mr Leonard gave his backing to the campaigns and said a Labour Government was determined to increase Government investment in infrastructure, which would benefit trunk roads in the region.
The Scottish Labour leader said, “Meeting with the A77 Action Group and the Dual the A75 campaign has made it clear that the two trunk roads are being left behind. The two campaign groups have set out a compelling case highlighting not only the fact the region hasn’t always got its fair share of investment in the past, but they need to address that now.
“The A75 and A77 trunk roads are not only vital for the communities and economies of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire, but also have a huge strategic importance for the whole of the Scottish economy.
Colin Smyth MSP said, “I am delighted that Richard Leonard was able to come and speak to the A77 Action Group, Dual the A75 and Stena Line. I stood for Parliament because I felt that our region wasn’t being listened to and was too often forgotten about. The current state of the A75 and A77 is a clear example of this, and I am pleased that Richard came to the region to make clear his support for investment in the major infrastructure serving our region. It is vital that we get that message across to Government, so I hope that the new Transport Minister will not only also meet with the action groups but actually visit the region to see for himself how the lack of investment in the A75 and A77 is impacting on the local economy.”
Donald McHarrie, a member of the A77 Action Group said, “We are grateful to Richard Leonard making the time to come a meet with us at Cairnryan in his role as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party. We fully welcome his support and look forward to working with him and Colin Smyth MSP in the future. We would also like to encourage the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson MSP, to attend our planned conference in October this year so he sees for himself the dire need for investment here on the A77 and A75.”
