The Scottish Government has been challenged to "step up to the mark" by Scottish Conservative MP candidate John Cooper and to put forward practical and funded plans to upgrade the A77 route.
The A77 is fully the responsibility of the Scottish Government, and a coalition of local campaigners, councils and elected representatives have continued to urge the Holyrood government to invest in the A77 to make it fit for purpose in the 21st Century.
Recent studies showed significant economic benefits that would come from dualling the A77 and A75, with up to £5 billion of economic benefits for the whole of the UK.
Speaking on road upgrades, John Cooper said:
"Since devolution Holyrood has had full responsibility for the A77 and A75, but the result has been chronic underinvestment in roads key to Dumfries and Galloway.
"Only a small portion of the A77 is in Dumfries and Galloway, but it is a vital link with the rest of Scotland and the road – especially up to Girvan – is unfit for modern traffic volumes. Motorists had to put up with years of works at Carlock Wall in Glen App, which only shored up the carriageway.
"And while the long overdue bypassing of Maybole is welcome, so much more needs urgent attention.
"While the UK Government has been able to provide additional funding for the A75, recognising its particular role in supporting connectivity and logistics on a cross-UK basis, the Scottish Government has been found wanting on making any clear financial commitment to upgrade the A77 and the A75.
"Scotland's trunk road network is the full responsibility of the SNP Scottish Government - it is they who must now step up to the mark and set out a blueprint as to when and where they will upgrade the A77, with clear funding attached to this work.
"The South West has been the forgotten part of Scotland under the SNP, with investment in transport infrastructure far less than our fair share of national spending. The people of Dumfries and Galloway deserve much better."
