A77 campaigners to have say at Holyrood

The Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee is to hold a public evidence session on the need for improvements to the A77.

The A77 Action Group lodged the petition with support from South of Scotland MSP Brian Whittle, a member of the committee.

Since the petition was submitted to Parliament, the committee have taken evidence on the issue from transport minister Humza Yousaf and combined the petition with a similar one lodged by the Dual The A75 Campaign.

Now the committee are planning to hold a public evidence session at Holyrood to hear from more users of the road and consider how best to take the petition forward.

Brian Whittle said: “Since encouraging the A77 Action Group to submit a petition to the committee, I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made in shining more of a spotlight on the road and pushing the Scottish Government to take action.

“I’ve had a number of conversations with regular users of the A77, including a number of major businesses, and know they have very real concerns about the current condition of the road and how a lack of plans for future investment.

“I hope we’ll be able to hear from as many people as possible with their views.

“I’m determined to see the Scottish Government make a meaningful commitment to invest in improving the A77 and turn it into a benefit to the local economy rather than a barrier to growth.”