South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has called on Transport Minster Fiona Hyslop to meet with politicians and campaign groups to discuss the vital importance of improving the A75 and A77.

The local MSP has also once again demanded the Scottish Government urgently publish a delivery plan for improvements to both roads.

Speaking in the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament recently, Colin Smyth said: “I hear what the minister says about discussions with the UK Government about the A75, but the commitments regarding work on both trunk roads were made by the Scottish Government in its strategic transport review and the A77 does not feature at all in the UK Government’s connectivity review.

“Does the minister accept that there is real frustration in the community, and from businesses such as the ferry companies operating from Cairnryan, about the fact that we do not have a clear timeline or a clear commitment to funding the promised improvements to those trunk roads?

“Will she agree to meet a cross-party delegation of members and representatives of local campaign groups, in order to hear why improving those vital road links is so crucial to the economy of the south-west of Scotland?”

Speaking after the question session, Colin Smyth added: “Time and again our region has been ignored and fobbed off when it comes to improving vital transport links.

“The A75 and A77 are vital roads for transporting goods to and from Northern Ireland but they are not fit for purpose.

“It’s time we saw some action from our governments and the first step is for Fiona Hyslop to come and meet with both politicians and the many local people who have been campaigning tirelessly for so many years.”