Ayrshire MSP welcomes poll demanding investment in A77

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An MSP is backing a poll which shows 93 per cent of residents across South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway want upgrades to the A77 and A75.South Scotland Conservative MSP Brian Whittle has been a long-time campaigner for upgrades to both roads.And he reckons the poll, by the South West Scotland Transport Alliance (SWSTA), gives more weight to the long-running battle to secure greater investment.SWSTA is made up of P&O, Stena Line and the Belfast Harbour authority, together with South Ayrshire Council and the Ayrshire and Dumfries Chambers of Commerce, who are working to call for greater investment in transport infrastructure.According to the poll, three quarters of respondents believe the upgrades should happen to improve safety; over 60 per cent think the quality of the roads puts off investment in the local economy and around half say it deters tourists and people from moving to the area.Mr Whittle has been campaigning for the A77 and A75 to be upgraded since before his election in 2016.And he’s repeatedly challenged the Scottish Government over what he says is a ‘failure’ to live up to previous commitments to dual the A77.

The UK Government has pledged £5 million for a feasibility study to upgrade the A75.Mr Whittle is now urging the Scottish Government to match the funding for a study of the A77 and for both governments to work together.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The Ayrshire Live app is available to