A77 Action Group to influence road survey?

At their most recent meeting is was reported that progress was being made on the outcomes of actions already taken and that the group is now looking at a major Transport Conference in May of this year.

Already the Action Group has made representations to the Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee and met separately with the Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf. It further met with Leaders of both South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Their aim is to press for a full and comprehensive Economic Impact Assessment on the effects both the A77 and A75 have on the economy of the South of Scotland and the central belt.

Donald McHarrie reported to the meeting that the group needs to try and influence what goes into the forthcoming £200k survey announced by the Transport Minister.

He said: “We really should have been consulted on the scope of this survey but it does not seem we were given the opportunity. 

“We now have to make as much representation as possible to make sure we put forward what is needed for these roads in the short and medium term as well as the long term capital investment that is needed to dual carriage both roads.”

Denise Hogarth, one of the core group members, reported that she was working away at researching a number of documents on the representations that have been made and how these can assist the campaign.

She said: “All the information we can gather will be important to put to the Minister and the Scottish Government on the promises that have been made over decades and have all failed.”

The meeting was pleased to welcome two representatives of List MSP’s Brian Whittle and Jean Freeman. 

While they noted the support they had received from a number of South of Scotland MSP’s, they made it clear that they wanted the MSP’s to be continually raising the A77 and be asking questions at Holyrood.

Other meetings in which the Action Group would be attending at forthcoming meeting and Transport Summit in Ayrshire were noted.