'We'll be retired or dead before long-awaited bypass is built'

Judith and Steven Grimshaw were among the people taking a look at the initial bypass proposals

Residents of two villages on a key transport route through southern Scotland are concerned about the time it will take to build long-awaited bypasses.

Route options to divert traffic away from Springholm and Crocketford were published by Transport Scotland on Monday.

They both sit on the busy A75 which is used by lorries travelling to and from the ferry ports at Cairnryan - transporting millions of pounds worth of goods around the clock every day.

Villagers told the BBC the plans were welcome - but they were not convinced they would see work start any time soon.

It will take until at least early 2027 for a preferred route to be identified, according to Transport Scotland.

The route is busy with heavy goods vehicles around the clock

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 the issues faced in both villages for himself.

Funding is now in place to look at the options for taking traffic on an alternative route.

Crocketford residents Judith and Steven Grimshaw, who run an upholstery business, said they had mixed feelings about the plans.

Initial proposals are being put on display in Crocketford and Springholm

"We are worried about how it will impact where we live, we want the road desperately due to the speed and volume of traffic," Judith said.

"One of the routes that I think could quite easily look like the most preferred is going to go right at the back of us.

"I don't think it will happen that quickly - so we will probably be retired or be dead."

They said they were worried about the potential impact on local businesses, including their own, if the road was taken away from the village.

"But if it becomes a more pleasant road to drive on it might bring more people," Judith added.

The two villages are the only ones on the A75 without bypasses

Another resident - who did not wish to be named - was also impressed with the plans but worried about the time they might take to deliver.

"It's good that they are actually looking at the roads and deciding where the bypass could go, and they have obviously come to some conclusions about the possible routes," she said.

"But for people living in the village of Crocketford, we want to know, will there be any money to do the work, and actually provide the bypass?

"They have been talking about it for nearly 100 years - so hopefully there will be a next stage.

"It is good that at least they are doing something because for a long time nothing was happening whatsoever."

Their views echoed those expressed by locals in recent years.

When the funding was announced in 2023 people told the BBC they had trouble believing construction would ever take place.

Adam Gould said he hoped residents would see benefits from taking traffic away from the villages

Adam Gould, Transport Scotland's design manager on the project, said he hoped it would bring benefits to the area.

"We're looking to bring improvements to the road network for the villages, as they are the only two villages on the A75 that are not currently bypassed," he said.

"The A75 is an important strategic road for lots of freight to Stranraer and Cairnryan so we are looking to make improvements that will also benefit the lives of people who live in Springholm and Crocketford villages.

"We would hope that the local communities would see benefits from the reduction of strategic traffic within the villages and they would see that through the movement of large HGV vehicles from the villages."

A statement from Transport Scotland said the project was progressing, with initial design work to look at options "well under way".

"We have identified a number of initial options to the north and the south of the villages including single carriageway, both with and without overtaking lanes and dual carriageway options," it said.

"The work being undertaken will culminate with the identification of a preferred route option for bypassing Springholm and Crocketford, expected in early 2027.

"Only once the ongoing design and assessment work is completed can a timetable for future design stages be confirmed in line with available budgets."