A75 priorities
Improving the A75 through our region will realistically be a phased project with pinch points such as by-passes clear priorities.
But as with all major schemes producing well researched up-to-date feasibility studies, in this case funded by £8m from the UK Government, are essential before large publicly funded investment can be considered.
I’m pleased that the UK Government and the Scottish Government agency Transport Scotland, which oversees trunk route transport, are working together to prepare a business case for realignments on the A75 with obvious candidates being the Springholm and Crocketford areas.
My Scotland Office colleague, Minister John Lamont, had a positive meeting at Cairnryan Port this week with Andy Kane, operations manager for Stena Line, when both shared the view that meaningful improvements were needed as soon as possible.
With traffic expected to increase on both the A75 and A77 in the coming years, and the tragic toll of road deaths and injuries continuing, it is important that the UK and Scottish Governments maintain a momentum.
Cash support
Since becoming a local MP back in 2017, I’ve been struck by the wealth of of community work carried out across Dumfries and Galloway.
Charities, community interest companies, third and public sector organisations down to clubs, societies and individuals make such an important contribution.
I was reminded of this recently where I was going through the list of recipients benefiting from the Community Led Local Development (CLLD) programme which, in the latest round, has distributed £620,000.
Local knowledge was to the fore during the difficult selection process and I commend the members of the Local Action Group, drawn from the third, public and private sectors, who were tasked with compiling a final grant list.
NHS challenge
With NHS Dumfries and Galloway facing the prospect of trimming their budget in the next financial year by £29 million, there are understandable concerns about local health services.
Rising costs and service demand mean difficult choices, but I do believe the Scottish Government should factor in more the particular demographic challenges facing south-west Scotland when allocating funds.