A77 action group anger as road left out of UK Government review funding
The group wants major upgrades on the road between Ayr and Stranraer.
Last updated 10th Mar 2021
Members of the A77 action group, campaigning for major upgrades on the road between Ayr and Stranraer, have been left feeling gutted and disappointed.
It’s after a report was published today (Wednesday 10th March 2021) reviewing transport for the whole of the UK and looking into ways that would better connect the four nations.
The group was told last summer when the review began, that the A77 would be a big part of this report as it joins Scotland with Northern Ireland.
However, despite the report recognising the importance of the route, the UK Government has decided not to look into developing it further.
Several other transport projects have been highlighted instead and will receive a share of £20m for further review. These include the nearby A75 road in Dumfries and Galloway.
John Campbell from Maybole is a member of the A77 Action Group and can’t understand the decision. He told West FM, “More than 90% of people using the road told a survey they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with it. There is no other trunk road in Scotland that comes close to that.
“Yet again we are being absolutely, totally ignored by both the UK and Scottish Governments, which have both now looked at this road.
“We’re absolutely gutted. The A77 has been kicked in the teeth.
“The 50 miles between Ayr and Stranraer includes eight towns and villages, whereas the 100 miles of the A75 road only has two small villages.
“All the money that has ever come to the south west of Scotland has always gone to the A75.
“We just don’t understand why this part and one of the major trunk roads in Scotland has been so badly neglected. And that’s it neglected once again.”
Conservative MSP, Oliver Mundell, who has supported both the A75 and A77 action groups is urging A77 campaigners not to give up. He says, “I would say not to lose heart. But I think when it comes to this particular review, which is about connecting up the nations of the UK, the A75 fits more neatly into that.
“I would urge the Scottish Government to look again at the case for further improvements on the A77.”
Speaking on today’s ‘Union Connectivity Report’, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, "It’s now time to build back better in a way which brings every corner of the UK closer together. We will harness the incredible power of infrastructure to level up parts of our country that have too long been left off the transport map.
"This pioneering review by Sir Peter Hendy gives us the tools we need to deliver on our ambitions for a UK-wide transport network that encompasses sea, rail, and road – and I also want to cut passenger duty on domestic flights so we can support connectivity across the country.”
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said: “I spoke to Sir Peter Hendy and Grant Shapps and again made clear that transport infrastructure is a devolved matter and the Union Connectivity Review was established without any discussion and consultation with Scotland, Wales and NI.
“We will always seek to engage constructively with the UK Government, but never in a way that undermines the devolution settlement. This review is a systematic attack on the Scottish Parliament’s powers – a power grab that fundamentally undermines devolution.
“We already have a robust process for evidencing future transport infrastructure investment in Scotland - STPR2, not the Union Connectivity Review. We will consider the UCR Interim report and respond in due course.
“What Scotland really needs now is an infrastructure-led economic recovery to deliver new jobs and speed up the transition to net zero – which won’t be possible with the 5% cut to our capital budget in the UK Spending Review for 2021-22.”
You can read the report here.