The Scottish Government must listen to the calls for the upgrade of the A75 and A77 by ferry firms if they are serious about supporting the local economy, according South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour Transport Spokesperson Colin Smyth.

The comments come as Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Belfast Harbour this week launched an unprecedented attack on the interim findings of the South West Transport Study recently published by Transport Scotland. The firms claimed the proposals were “insufficient” and instead called for the A75 and A77 to be made dual carriageways to prevent the loss of business to England and Wales.

Colin Smyth said “This is an unprecedented intervention by the ferry firms and highlights the deep anger and betrayal they feel over the lack of investment on the A75 and A77 by the Scottish Government. When the then First Minister Alex Salmond opened the new Stena Ferry terminal at Cairnryan he talked about the three r’s- roads , rail and regeneration. But on all three it has been fail, fail, fail by the Government. If they are serious about supporting the local economy across Dumfries and Galloway they need to listen to major businesses and the community and commit to the upgrade of the A75 and A77. The Government have said they will spend £3bn on upgrading the A9 between Perth and Inverness.  How about committing to giving the south-west a fair share for once instead of leaving it as the forgotten part of Scotland?”