Borders MSP Rachael Hamilton has called on the SNP to stop hammering motorists at every turn, echoing the views of Scottish Conservative party leader, Douglas Ross and East Berwickshire councillor, Carol Hamilton.
Ms Hamilton and Mr Ross have urged the SNP to drop plans to hit drivers with further taxes and finally commit to investing in crucial road upgrades across Scotland. Cllr Hamilton underlined these points, arguing that a lack of progress on road upgrades were causing serious concerns among people in her ward who rely on the A1 to get around.
Concerns have been raised that the SNP are being forced to yield to the demands of their Green coalition partners by back pedalling on previous commitments to invest in upgrading trunk roads such as the A1 from Edinburgh to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
Mr Ross has recently pointed out that Scottish Government funding cuts to local authorities have resulted in roads across Scotland being blighted by potholes.
The SNP have also tabled plans to introduce a ‘commuter tax’ for those travelling into Edinburgh which, Ms Hamilton has claimed, will hit hard working Borderers who travel to the capital to earn a living at a time when the cost of living is already putting a strain on finances.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Motorists in the Borders are right to expect more from the Scottish Government, but after 15 years in power, the SNP have delivered nothing.
“It is clear that the SNP’s junior coalition partners are calling the shots when it comes to addressing these concerns. The Green party simply do not care about motorists.
“Instead of helping motorists and making our roads safer, the Scottish Government are slapping them with more taxes and failing to take concerns about road safety seriously.
“I absolutely understand that we must all consider using lower carbon forms of transport, but we will always need safe and reliable roads. Electric vehicles are just as susceptible to potholes as diesel cars.
“Ignoring road infrastructure as this Government has is completely irresponsible.
Douglas Ross MP, MSP said:
“The SNP-Green coalition are continuing to hammer the motorist at every turn.
“SNP Ministers are now agreeing to the demands of their extremist friends in the Greens by rowing back on previous commitments to upgrade crucial trunk roads.
“They are also happy to hit workers with an extra tax for simply driving to work.
“We now know they want to go even further in Edinburgh and hit commuters with a levy for travelling into the capital. These attacks on motorists simply cannot continue.
“For many, particularly in our rural communities, a car is a necessity not a luxury.
“SNP-Green Ministers are increasingly out-of-touch with these communities who have been crying out for years for roads to be upgraded. On the SNP’s watch roads have been allowed to crumble due to savage cuts to our local authorities during their 15 years in power.
“Everyone understands the need to tackle the climate emergency. However, the SNP-Green coalition’s relentless attacks on those who need to have a car for work, seeing family and carrying out other day-to-day activities is increasingly misguided.
“It is time the SNP stopped bowing to their extremist Green partners and ensure vital upgrades on Scotland’s roads finally take place.”
“I have been campaigning for years to see repairs and upgrades carried out on the A1 in my ward.
“Years of negligence has led to real safety concerns and it is about time something was done about this.
"This is especially true around some junctions, such as Reston, where the increase in traffic volume that will come as a result of the new railway station could be a real danger.
“The A1 is absolutely vital for people here in East Berwickshire. Whether it is for commuting to work, getting children to school or going to the shops, the A1 forms the backbone of our community’s transport network.
“The SNP have promised time and time again that we would see the road upgraded, but after 15 years they have failed to deliver.
