UK GOVERNMENT ASKED TO INVEST IN SOUTH WEST TRANSPORT

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South Scotland MSP Emma Harper has launched a new attempt to secure much needed investment on South West Scotland’s arterial transport routes – the A75 and A77.

The South Scotland MSP – who since her election has called for the routes to receive major investment and upgrades – has written to the UK Government Transport and Scottish Secretaries to outline a case for the UK Government to, in part foot the bill for upgrades to the A75 and A77, given the UK’s exit from the European Union in the coming months.

The UK’s withdrawal from the EU will mean that the Port of Cairnryan will become an increasingly busier hub for the movement of people, goods and services to and from mainland UK, Northern Ireland and Europe.

Ms Harper has argued that, because the Sewel Convention – an agreement which accompanies the UK/EU withdrawal agreement – states there can be ‘no detriment’ to Scotland in any way as a result of the UK decision to leave the EU, the UK Government have a responsibility to foot the bill to improve the safety, efficiency and attractiveness of the A75 in particular.

Projections are that the A75 will become busier because of the UK policy decision and because the Scottish Government, under the current devolution settlement, only has limited revenue generating powers meaning they cannot be solely responsible for investment.

In her letter, Ms Harper talks in great detail about the importance of the Port of Cairnryan and the attractiveness of the crossing as it is shortest crossing from the UK (mainland) to UK (Ireland) and beyond into Europe. The crossing also has the least amount of cancellations due to inclement weather compared to other UK crossings.

Commenting, Ms Harper said:

“Everyone who lives, works or travels thorough South West Scotland – and in particular on the A75 – agrees that these extremely important arterial transport routes are in need of significant investment to improve their efficiency, safety and attractiveness.

“I have therefore constructively written to the UK Government to ask whether they would be willing to pay for investment on the A75 (Euro Route 18) which is 1,890km long, and which will become increasingly busier as a result of the UK Government’s decision to remove the UK from the EU.

“The Sewel Convention – which accompanies the UK/EU withdrawal documentation – states very clearly that there should be no detriment to Scotland in any way as a result of the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the EU. Because the A75 in particular will become increasingly busier as a direct UK (mainland) to UK (Ireland) and Europe route, it is to be expected that there will be further pot-holes, ware-and-tear and infrastructure damage caused by road users from outside the South West of Scotland. For me, this means detriment to Scotland which will be in contradiction to the Sewel Convention.

“In my letter to the UK Government Transport and Scottish Secretaries, I have stated that I am more than happy to engage in discussion with them on this issue whether it be through meetings, phone calls or written correspondence. I have asked the them to give this request the consideration it deserves and I look forward to hearing back from them in due course.

“In the meantime, should any constituent be looking for an advice and support, or should anyone like an update on the work I am carrying out on their behalf, then I’d ask that they get in touch with me at any time.”