Wigtownshire travellers deserve rail discounts
It was disappointing to learn that rail services linking Stranraer with the rest of the UK rail network are unlikely to return to normal before June.
As I stated in a recent column, I fully understand the essential safety work to a fire-damaged hotel near the track at Ayr has to be completed for safety reasons and I appreciated the timely update provided to me.
But a glance this week at my casework files on Stranraer rail services reminds me just how many issues there have been on this vital route during my years as local MP.
I believe the time is right for a review into the resilience of the service between Ayrshire and Stranraer and for any improvements needed to be put in place where there are reasonable concerns.
As Free Press readers know only too well, weather, accident and other delays on the main road routes serving Stranraer and the ferries at Cairnryan are sadly not unusual.
That means a reliable rail service is essential and permanent improvements should be made to try to achieve this goal.
Instead of Wigtownshire’s geographical remoteness and relatively small population being a reason for good connectivity, it appears, in reality, to be an excuse for lack of transport investment.
I suspect that repeated periods without a rail service at Stranraer would be considered totally unacceptable in more populated areas in central Scotland.
Bus replacement services have been arranged during the months without trains but I know that has not suited all travellers’ needs and some have been driven to find alternatives.
There is a strong case for strengthened rail links to play a greater role in the south-west Scotland’s economy in the longer term.
For now, I would urge ScotRail to consider providing discounts for passengers to and from Stranraer for a period when the service eventually resumes as a goodwill gesture to their customers and others in Wigtownshire affected by the latest disruption.
Local groups force for good
In the east of the constituency, I was delighted to see the new Dumfries Town Board convened recently for the first time at the start of their mission to enhance the centre of the town.
I’m a firm believer in grass roots - driven organisations, where as much decision-making, funds-sourcing and adminstration as possible is done at local level.
Here, in Wigtownshire, I believe organisations such as the Stranraer Development Trust have already a good track record in their aim of helping achieve sustainable regeneration for the town.
They played a key role in the development of the successful Oyster Festival and the engagement process with local people as part of the exciting development plans for the former George Hotel.
I was interested to see the detailed plans which include an area for the arts and other creative skills, a climb zone and, maintaining a link to the site’s hospitality heritage, the provision of a bunkhouse providing accommodation for visitors to the town.
I understand Dumfries and Galloway Council, the site owners, hope the B-listed re-purposed building’s transformation could be completed and ready for opening late next year.
The Trust, which also assists many other local groups and organisations become established, has been an excellent example of positive community empowerment.
Wigtownshire is fortunate in having so many such organisations with another example being the Stranraer Water Sports Association which has helped make the most of Loch Ryan’s leisure and sports potential for all age groups.
As well as promoting a range of water activities for local people, the organisation is helping put the town and district on the map attracting a further stream of visitors.
Over in the east, my congratulations go to doonhamer Richie Nicoll on his appointment as Dumfries Town Board chairman. He brings to the table a wealth of experience both as a former senior specialist in the UK armed forces and as a successful businessman.
The board members aim to shape a vision for the future, delivered over the next decade with £20m phased funding from the UK Levelling-Up programme as a key foundation resource.
Healthy outlook for paths
I find it hard to believe that it was 40 years ago this month that the pioneering Southern Upland Way coast-to-coast path was officially opened bringing many hundreds of visitors to Wigtownshire each year.
The 214-mile route between Portpatrick and Cockburnspath was the first long-distance dedicated walking route in southern Scotland and opened up much breathtaking scenic countryside, which had previously been hard to reach by visitors.
Local people and tourists have enjoyed the pathway, which in some respects was ahead of its time as during subsequent years the environment, tourism and health benefits of exercise all moved up the agenda.
I’m looking forward to dropping in to see a small exhibition reflecting the history of the path, put together by the Southern Upland Way ranger service, which will be touring the region in the summer months.
On top of the coast-to-coast experience, local and visiting walkers leave plenty of positive testimonials for our other local established long-distance walks, the Mull of Galloway Trail covering 37 miles in our own area and the Whithorn Way which extends 143 miles from Glasgow to the Isle of Whithorn.
Walking, what ever our pace, and our magnificent scenery are a perfect combination and as doctors, I’m sure will agree, are just the tonic for our physical and mental health in our fast-moving world.
Making stations more inclusive
Making rail travel easier for those with mobility challenges is about to be achieved through a project in the east of my constituency.
Many users of Dumfries railway station on the Nith Valley line were delighted last week that a new pedestrian bridge, complete with lifts, was lowered into position over the track, linking both platforms.
There was affection for the old bridge, but I do feel the new design also blends well with the Victorian station buildings, and, most importantly, the structure will make a huge difference to less mobile travellers.
It will be a while before the £3.6m bridge, funded through the UK Government Inclusive Transport Strategy, will be ready for public use and I, for one, look forward to crossing it for the first time.
As I stated at the start of this month’s column, I believe good reliable rail connections are vital to Wigtownshire’s future development and I will continue to highlight that case for more investment.
Colourful art in Agnew Park
It was good to see the colourful nautical-themed semi-abstract mural which has been painted on the walls of the Stranraer Water Sport Association boathouse at Agnew Park.
Well-done the artists behind the project which will help promote Dumfries and Galloway’s open studios weekend between May 25 and 27 and is always an excellent shop window for the wide-ranging work of artists and crafts people across our region.