Scotland’s Transport Minister has been accused of “running scared” from seeing how two communities are impacted by the A75.
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson had called on Jenny Gilruth to visit Crocketford and Springholm and hear from locals how their lives are affected by living on the Euroroute.
However, Mr Carson claims that Ms Gilruth has only offered a virtual meeting in May.
He said: “Why is the Transport Minister running scared? Is she afraid to hear the terrifying stories of how HGVs go thundering through these two villages, putting the lives of many local residents at serious risk?
“I cannot believe that the minister is taking such a cavalier approach towards what is often a life-threatening situation carried out on a daily basis.
“Both she and the transport cabinet secretary are fully aware of the serious accident in Crocketford late last year involving two HGVs colliding and one narrowly missing a property, with potentially catastrophic consequences.”
Mr Carson also claims Ms Gilruth declined an invite to a public meeting in Crocketford which followed last year’s crash.
He added: “Honestly, what does it take to get her to leave her comfy office in Edinburgh and see the safety risks being experienced on a daily basis?”
Plans to upgrade the A75 are included in the Scottish Government’s strategic transport review and the UK Government’s Union Connectivity Review.
A Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “The transport minister has agreed to meet with the local MSP to discuss improvements to the A75.
“Improvements to the safety, resilience and reliability of the A75 are one of the 45 recommendations included in the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), published in December. Measures to be considered include enhancing overtaking opportunities, widening or realigning carriageways – for example, bypassing the villages of Crocketford and Springholm – and improving junctions.”
