The ending of an old year and the impending arrival of a new one is often a time for reflection.
It is an opportunity to look back at what you intended to achieve, recognise and welcome the successful outcomes while setting new goals for the months ahead.
There is no denying that time waits for nobody and the past year has gone in a flash.
The last 12 months have literally gone in a flash although I am happy to report that much of it has been good.
Most notably, perhaps, is that at long last positive progress is now being made on improving the A75 – something I have fought long and hard over.
The visit by the First Minister John Swinney to meet key stakeholders earlier this month was both positive and constructive, providing a real desire to improve the safety and reliability of this key route.
The news that engineers have now been appointed to come up with options regarding bypassing both Springholm and Crocketford is encouraging although I caution it could still be a couple of years down the line before we hear the sound of shovels hitting the ground.
Another positive is the beginning of work on the Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels regeneration project that will transform a former primary school into a community and activity centre.
The £7.8 million development is the brainchild of the Dalbeattie Community Initiative and will hopefully open in 2026.
Changes are on the horizon in Stranraer with the creation of a showpiece state-of-the-art watersports facility that will put the town on the world map.
The watersports hub will offer first class facilities and coaching for a range of activities including sailing, coastal rowing, kayaking, open water swimming and powerboating.
Beneficaries will include the local community, schools, youth groups as well as attracting visitors from Scotland and the UK.
Working with organisations like these and seeing the fruits of their labour come to fruition is one of the joys of my role as MSP
Things are already looking promising, so let’s hope 2025 is a time for Galloway and West Dumfries to flourish in a positive fashion.
