Transport Secretary has agreed to meet with A77 campaigners

Fiona Hyslop revealed she planned to meet with the A77 Action Group in Edinburgh later this month after being pressed on the issue at Holyrood by Labour South of Scotland MSP Colin Smyth.

He called on her to fully implement a 2022 strategic review, Recommendation 40, in which the Scottish Government promised improvements to both the A77 and A75, which connects the border with Stranraer and ferries across the Irish Sea.

Ms Hyslop responded: "We value the critical link that the A77 provides, in particular, in connecting the ports at Cairnryan to the wider trunk road network.

"Our investment in the Maybole bypass, which opened in January 2022, is a clear statement of that commitment.

"Recommendation 40 is in development and follows on from the robust strategic case for investment that was made in STPR2.

"This is a long-term plan and we must not forget the continued investment that we make in the maintenance and safe operation of that route."

MSP Colin Smyth and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop (Image: Contributed) But Mr Smyth told her: "Two years after the final plan was published, there is still no clear implementation plan or timescale for those commitments, and that is deeply disappointing.

"Will the Cabinet Secretary consider the deep concerns about the impact of what appears to be a growing use of full road closures of the A77 and, indeed, the impact of such closures on the A75?

"Routine maintenance often leads to detours of hours for drivers. Will she consider the request from the A77 action group for a task force to bring together local stakeholders with Transport Scotland and Amey Highways to explore what more we can do to minimise the disruption for residents, local businesses and users of the road?"

The Transport Secretary replied: "Clearly, for road safety, improvements to the road are essential.

"Being able to make those improvements without full closure of the road is an operational matter for the roads operator.

"However, I hear what Colin Smyth says. It was difficult to follow which road closures he was referring to.

"I know that there are current concerns about the A75, but his original question was about the A77.

The A77 is a key transport route for Scotland (Image: Google Maps) "I have approached the A77 action group to talk to its members and I might be able to raise the issue of that impact with them. I will also try to identify whether the operator has considered alternatives."

She added: "We have to be realistic. If we want to improve roads for road safety and other measures, we have to ensure that that work is carried out. In some circumstances, that might mean full closures and diversions, particularly for heavy goods vehicles. As I mentioned, the connectivity with Cairnryan is an important part of the road network.

South of Scotland Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey then told the Transport Secretary: "The A77 is a key trunk road both for people who live close to it and for those who live further afield.

"Thousands stand to benefit from further improvements, both in quality of life and in boosted economic activity. With that in mind, what major improvements does the Scottish Government have planned for the A77 in the next decade?"

Ms Hyslop responded: "As Ms Dowey knows, there has already been substantial investment, including in the Maybole bypass. In addition, there have been £35 million-worth of improvements in other areas, such as Glen App and Haggstone.

"Resurfacing schemes were recently completed at Ballantrae and south of Girvan. In this financial year, resurfacing schemes are planned on the A77 Ayr bypass roundabouts at Bankfield, Holmston and Whitletts."

Later, Mr Smyth said: "It’s clear that upgrading the A77 is simply not on the agenda for the Scottish Government and they do not recognise its strategic importance.

"I hope at the very least the Government will agree to set up a taskforce to consider how we better manage the extensive road closures that take place when routine maintenance is being carried out.

“There is no doubt that there has been a massive increase in the approach that closes down the whole road. However, little consideration is given over the timing or how we minimise the disruption to local business and keep any closures to as short a period as possible given that some of the diversions add hours onto journey times.”