Ferry firms lead A75 bypass dual carriageway call

Ferry firms argue that a dual carriageway for the new A75 bypass is the only option

A group led by ferry firms in south-west Scotland has said that any new bypass on the A75 "must be a dual carriageway" in both directions.

The South West Scotland Transport Alliance (SWSTA) claims that dualling the long-awaited bypass for the villages of Springholm and Crocketford is the only option that should be considered.

As part of a feasibility study into the potential new route, Transport Scotland (TS) is currently assessing options.

The study is exploring the possibility of a single carriageway, a single carriageway with overtaking lanes and a dual carriageway.

Heavy ferry traffic passes through the centre of Springholm and Crocketford on a daily basis

The A75 is the region's main arterial route, running west from Gretna to Stranraer and serving the Irish Sea ports at Cairnryan.

The SWSTA group, which is led by Stena Line, P&O Ferries and Belfast Harbour, has completed its submission to the public consultation and says failing to dual the section of road would be "failing the communities surrounding the road and those who travel on it".

'False economy'

Lesley Fletcher, Stena Line's port manager at Cairnryan, said as far as they were concerned it would be a pointless exercise if the bypass was not a dual carriageway.

"We need to look to the long term, and I think a dual carriageway would be essential in reducing the number of collisions, cutting carbon emissions and enhancing the economy," she said.

"Obviously, it's a gateway to Ireland, and I think it would be a false economy to make any part of this a single carriageway."

The group hopes that if the dual carriageway option is given the green light, it could pave the way for a continuous programme of improvements along the A75 and A77.

A TS spokesman said: "The strategic importance of the A75 to Scotland's economy is recognised by the government.

"It provides a critical link to the markets in the rest of the UK and Europe.

"That is why we have already completed six major roads improvement projects with a total value of over £50m."

He said work was proceeding "at pace" on the design and assessment of options at Springholm and Crocketford.

He added that feedback from a range of groups - including SWSTA - would be taken on board while they continued to press for further support for future stages of the project.