Colin Smyth MSP
South Scotland MSP and Scottish Labour’s Transport Spokesperson Colin Smyth has accused the Scottish Government of “making it up as they go along” following the news that a former military airfield had now been earmarked in-principle as the preferred option be transformed into an emergency lorry park to cope with post-Brexit delays at Cairnryan.
Transport Scotland confirmed it was in discussions with the Stairs Estate to use the Castle Kennedy Airfield.
Colin Smyth said: “It’s pretty clear the Scottish Government really is making it up as they go along.
“We are just days away from the end of the transition period and for Transport Scotland to say they have only just agreed a site in principle is breathtaking.
“Anyone who knows the airfield will realise the challenges of the location and the fact significant work would be needed to make it suitable.
“The access road off the A75 involves a sharp turn onto a narrow road, followed by a dirt track into the airfield itself. Not only will this lead to delays on the A75 as lorries are turning, but there will need to be upgrading work on roads to access the airfield. None of this will happen before the end of the year.
“The site will also mean lorries coming off the ferries that are heading north on the A77 now face a 16 miles round trip detour to get checks done.
“The whole issue is a recipe for chaos that will have a massive impact on the flow of traffic to the ferry ports and have a detrimental impact on the economy by holding up the transport of goods. These plans could and should have been developed months ago not at the last minute.”