Better route to future?
I was interested to see Transport Scotland figures showing maintenance costs on the A75 trunk road between Gretna and Stranraer over the last six years.
Annual expenditure ranged from just over £4 million in 2017 to £5.6 million last year, which is, perhaps, not surprising on such a busy 95-mile route.
Whilst we are into the second half of 2020, the information recently released also revealed that, due to the impact of Covid-19, funding spent at that point had not reached the £1 million mark.
As many of my constituents will agree, there is no shortage of work needing done on this vital route, which carries much of the Northern Ireland ferry traffic.
I would urge the Scottish Government to ensure that any underspend this year on A75 maintenance is added to the funding allocation for such work next year.
Looking at longer-term capital expenditure, many constituents tell me that high on their wish-list would be an early start on a by-pass for Springholm and Crocketford.
I certainly share that aspiration and hope the Scottish Government, currently reviewing priorities, do so too.
Creative and safe events
This has certainly been a summer recess with a difference for me and I'm sure for many of my Westminster colleagues.
My constituency diary has been transformed due to lockdown and later pandemic precautions and I've greatly missed events such as agricultural shows, Guid Nychburris and other festivals.
I've been greatly impressed though by the resilience and creativity of organisers, some of whom co-ordinated smaller-scale social distanced activities and in some cases a virtual online alternative.
Heritage garden
Well done the volunteers who have this summer been transforming an out of control garden next to Kirlcudbright's RNLI lifeboat station in Dee Walk.
Supported by a £2000 grant from Galloway Glens Landscape Partnership, the team have cleared and replanted the area and, aided by information boards, provided a garden reflecting the town's long and distinguished lifeboat heritage.