Village bypass options go up for examination

Calls for bypasses at both villages have been made for decades

Bypass options for two villages on the A75 in the south of Scotland are to be put up for examination.

Calls for the road to be taken round Crocketford and Springholm have been made for decades.

Last year First Minister John Swinney visited the area to see for himself the issues faced in both villages.

Now early options for how bypasses could be built are to go on display locally later this month.

The A75 is a key transport route through south-west Scotland running between Stranraer and Gretna.

With lorries going to and from the ferry ports at Cairnryan there have been repeated calls over the years to look at taking them away from Springholm and Crocketford.

A funding package is in place to look at ways that could be achieved.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop urged people in the area to come and see the plans for themselves.

She said: "We are committed to improving safety, resilience and reliability for everyone who uses the A75, including freight operators.

"The initial design work looking at options to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford on the A75 is now well under way.

"Springholm and Crocketford are the only two settlements on the busy route which have not yet been bypassed and we are pleased to be taking this work forward to improve the lives of people living, visiting and working in the villages."

She said they hoped a preferred route option for bypasses could be identified early in 2027.

Events will be held at Crocketford Village Hall on 22 September (12:00 to 19:00) and 23 September (12:00 to 17:00).

An event will also be held at Springholm Memorial Hall on 23 September (17:00 to 19:00).