Three Tory MSPs are urging Colin Smyth to use his influence within the Labour Party to press the case for urgent improvements to the A75 and A77.
In a joint letter to the South Scotland MSP, the trio – Finlay Carson, Sharon Dowey and Brian Whittle – are seeking his help in encouraging the Labour hierarchy to commit to an upgrade of both roads.
They are keen to establish whether the £8 million promised previously by Rishi Sunak to carry out a feasibility study – including bypassing both Springholm and Crocketford – is still available.
The Conservative MSPs said: “We would welcome confirmation that you will continue to lobby the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray regarding the £8 million promised by Rishi Sunak’s former government to see if it remains on the table and has been committed.
“Previously you have stated that repeated announcement of funding everyone already knew about was ‘not good enough’ and showed a ‘lack of ambition’ from both governments. We are sure you remain of the same opinion.”
The trio have also suggested “a united cross party approach” to keep the pressure on the Prime Minister and Scottish Secretary in speeding the issue up.
The move comes after campaigners called on the UK and Scottish Governments to work in tandem to improve both the A75 and A77.
The South West Scotland Transport Alliance (SWSTA) has urged them to form a task force in order to deliver urgent improvements to these two key transport arteries down to the ports at Cairnryan.
All four MSPs have spoken out at Holyrood on the enormous economic benefits to be gained if both roads were upgraded to improve safety and reliability given the huge number of HGVs using them 24/7.
Liz Cameron, director and chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, insists the A75 and A77 are two of Scotland’s most important roads.
Yet both have suffered from chronic under-investment which makes them dangerous, hampers economic progress and slows efforts to improve the environment.
Despite ongoing discussions between the Department of Transport and Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop no timetable has yet been set out.
