This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Go ahead for A75 improvements
20/09/2005
The preparation of tenders for three overtaking schemes on the A75 trunk road in Dumfries and Galloway can now proceed.
The schemes are Barfil to Bettyknowes, Planting End to Drumflower and Newton Stewart.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott today announced that having considered all objections to the proposed schemes, they would proceed without a Public Local Inquiry.
Mr Scott said:
"The A75 is an important strategic route connecting the ports of Cairnryan and Stranraer with the M74 at Gretna. Having considered all the objections to these three schemes, I am satisfied that the wider interest is best served by allowing them to proceed without delay.
"When introduced they will assist the flow of traffic by providing guaranteed and clear overtaking opportunities for faster moving vehicles. They will also improve journey times, reliability, and road safety on this important link to the ports.
"I have received many letters from local people asking for safety improvements to the A75. These further overtaking schemes are an important step in meeting these requests."
The three schemes are:
- Barfil to Bettyknowes (8.75km of westbound overtaking lane)
- Planting End to Drumflower (1km of eastbound overtaking lane)
- Newton Stewart (3.75km of acceleration lane westbound from the existing roundabout)
Inclusion of these schemes within the trunk road programme followed route action plan studies and discussions with the North Channel Partnership on improving access to the ports of Stranraer and Cairn Ryan. They are complemented by a series of five similar overtaking schemes between Stranraer and Girvan on the A77, representing a total estimated investment of over £55 million at current prices.
Provision of guaranteed overtaking lanes is targeted at sections of the Scottish trunk road network where traffic flows are relatively low and would not justify full scale dualling.
It is intended that the three schemes (Barfil, Newton Stewart and Planting End) will be procured as one design and build contract.
Other schemes in preparation are a bypass of the village of Dunragit and additional overtaking opportunities between Hardgrove and Kinmount and between Cairntop and Barlae.