Driving forward key road improvements
Making improvements to the A75 at key locations between Stranraer and the M6 motorway will realistically be phased and prioritise pinch points where a by-pass or other realignments would make the most difference.
As with all major schemes, producing well-researched up-to-date feasibility studies are required, in this case funded by £8m from the UK Government, and are essential to help deliver the large amount of publicly funded capital expenditure required.
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 A75 by-passes at traffic hotspots such as at Springholm and Crocketford.
My Scotland Office colleague, Minister John Lamont, recently held a positive meeting at Cairnryan Port with Andy Kane, operations manager for Stena Line, when both shared the view that meaningful improvements were needed as soon as possible.
The economic importance of the A75 and its sister route the A77 was emphasised with the former being identified as the busiest road for freight in the region. Indeed, every upgrade, at carefully assessed locations, will improve safety, the environment and reliability.
It is a UK Government priority to contribute towards meaningful improvements mainly to the A75 whilst the A77, a vital link to the Central Belt, deserves more investment through the Scottish Government roads budget, even if it is on a scale less than that targeted on transport projects further north, including on long-awaited new ferries.
I know first-hand the depth of support in Wigtownshire for the A77 to also be included in future roads spending plans and I understand MSP colleagues at Holyrood have been using every opportunity to raise the issue with the SNP-Green administration.
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.
Park proposal needs careful examination
As regular readers of this page will know I firmly believe that Dumfries and Galloway, due to multiple factors, is one of the best places to live, work and visit in the British Isles.
For that reason I’m not surprised that part of our region is being put forward as a candidate to become Scotland’s next national park.
However, whilst I commend the Galloway National Park Association on their efforts and professional approach to promoting parts of the south-west through preparing a formal bid to the Scottish Government, I’m far from convinced that securing such a designation would be the best outcome.
Supporters believe the status would be good economically and better for marketing tourism and other sectors, but, in contrast, opponents fear it may require additional public spending when budgets are already tight and, over time, risk producing extra restrictions and bureaucracy, possibly hampering some future job creation and development.
In my view further consultation is essential and economic growth is most sustainable when organic rather than achieved through engineered change accompanied by new signs. The potential for any detrimental impact on local communities left outside the final park boundaries should also be carefully assessed.
Our region is very special but delicately balanced, so I will be watching developments surrounding this proposal with great interest and urge local people to participate in any future consultations.
Grass roots projects making a difference
Since becoming a local MP back in 2017, I’ve been struck by the wealth 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.
Help targeted at mental health and well-being
Still on the topic of community funding I was glad to see a number of projects across Dumfries and Galloway constituency are receiving cash awards to further their work in helping improve mental health and well-being.
They include a varied selection of organisations and groups supporting independent living, transport, gardening, combating rural isolation and activities improving the well-being of adult and young carers.
More than £440,000 from the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Well-being Fund is being shared amongst 30 recipients across the wider region.
I certainly believe intervening early in many circumstances can help those facing challenges for many different reasons avoid even greater difficulties later, sometimes putting additional strain on support services.
Cross-channel link-up welcome development
I was pleased to read in a recent Free Press edition that long-serving local councillor Willie Scobie shares my enthusiasm for closer economic development links between Stranraer / Cairnryan and our neighbours across the North Channel.
The landmark deal between the UK Government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has secured the welcome resumption of the Northern Ireland Assembly, also provides a potential route to new opportunities for west Wigtownshire.
The creation of a Northern Ireland Enhanced Investment Zone, backed by £150 million of UK Government funding, would have the scope to extend targeted investment incentives within the wider Loch Ryan ferry port area.
Like Willie, I hope going forward, that might include the vital road links serving the Cairnryan which are also important to the Northern Ireland economy.
Region’s NHS facing daunting challenge
With NHS Dumfries and Galloway facing the daunting prospect of trimming its 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.