MEMBERS of the A77 Action group petitioned the Scottish Government for a duel carriageway from Ayr’s Whitletts roundabout to Cairnryan.

John Campbell of Maybole who teamed up for the action group and Cllr Willie Scobie from Stranraer addressed the Convener of the Public Petitions Committee, Johann Lamont MSP.

Speaking after the meeting Ms Lamont said: “John Campbell and Willie Scobie made a very substantial, thought-provoking case around the economic, environmental and safety issues of the A77.

“We heard that, while these serious factors have been on-going for some time, Dumfries and Galloway is in danger of becoming the ‘forgotten’ part of Scotland.

“We want to hear the Scottish Government’s views, and will invite the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work before the Committee to speak on both the A77 and the A75 petitions.

“We will put key questions to the Cabinet Secretary on the Maybole bypass, the potential to upgrade the A75, and crucially, what the economic and environmental impact could be for local communities and the wider Scottish economy if upgrades to these roads are not delivered.”