A75 improvements: Dumfries and Galloway villages could be bypassed as £3m pledged
The Scottish Secretary says it means the UK Government is providing the "full" funding for the feasibility study to consider bypassing two villages on the road.
The A75, which is a primary trunk road in Scotland, connects Stranraer and ferry ports at Cairnryan to the M6 and A74(M) at Gretna.
It serves as a crucial route for traffic heading between Northern Ireland, England, and the rest of Scotland, particularly for those using the ferries to Northern Ireland. It is largely single-carriageway, which can lead to congestion, and longstanding safety concerns.
In 2023, the then Conservative government at Westminster announced it would provide £8m for the research into upgrading the A75.
After Labour won the general election, they announced at the Budget in October 2024 they would provide up to £5m towards the study. They say today's funding comes "on top" of that.
John Cooper, the Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway, wrote on social media: "After a lot of scaremongering from the SNP, the [UK government] confirms what the previous administration committed to."
Decisions over transport are devolved to Holyrood, and any work to complete improvements to the road would likely have to come out of the Scottish Government's budget.
Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government's transport agency, said they recognise the "strategic importance" of the A75 and have completed six major improvement projects on the road, but face "significant pressures" on their budget for infrastructure.
Today's announcement is part of £66m announced by the Chancellor for Scottish transport improvements.
The UK Government describes the A75 as a "key road... vital to UK connectivity and growing the economy."
On the topic, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: "the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.
"This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland."
Transport Scotland says: 'The strategic importance of both the A75 and A77 to Scotland's economy is recognised by this Government. We value the critical link they provide to the wider markets in the rest of the UK and Europe by connecting the ports at Cairnryan to the wider trunk road network.
'Ministers have chaired the Convention of South of Scotland discussion on transport, met the Leaders of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire Councils, had a roundtable discussion with campaigners calling for road improvements to the A75 and A77 in Girvan, and also extended an offer to form a 'South West Scotland Roads – Focus Group'. The purpose of this group is to improve the flow of information with the campaign groups and wider stakeholders, and look at longer term strategic investment for both the A75 and A77.
'In terms of the A75 we have completed six major roads improvement projects with a total value of over £50 million. While the UK Autumn Budget marked a step in the right direction, it does not make up for fourteen years of underinvestment – austerity cannot be undone in one year. We are still facing significant pressures on our capital budget, which is significantly affecting our ability to maintain investment on all of Scotland's transport infrastructure.
'Additionally, we have wasted no time in progressing the design and assessment work to consider options for realigning the A75 trunk road at the villages of Springholm and Crocketford."
This comes weeks after campaigners in Dumfries and Galloway expressed frustration that no money was announced for the A75 in the UK Government's spending review.
At the time, Springholm and Crocketford residents said this was an opportunity to commit project funding, and were disappointed both the UK Government and the Scottish Government hadn't dedicated money to feasibility study.
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