Rachael Hamilton MSP has expressed concern, alongside Co-chairs of the Borderlands Partnership, about the lack of transport investment in the South of Scotland by the Scottish Government.
Both Councillor Elaine Murray (Leader Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader) and Councillor Stewart Young (Cumbria County Council) stated that the Scottish Governments transport review (STPR2) is ‘disappointing, in that it lacks ambition’ on policies which are to make a significant difference to the South of Scotland and Borderlands.
The STPR2 (Strategic Transport Projects Review 2) is a review of the strategic transport network’s performance will inform transport investment in Scotland for the next 20 years. Overall the co-chairs were critical of the Scottish Government’s STPR2.
They went onto clarify that ‘the draft document appears to have a particular focus on cities and urban areas but not the specific, and defined needs, of our region’.
It also highlighted that the Borders Railway Extension should be recognised as a national priority. When it comes to road improvements, the Co-Chairs report also highlighted the failure of the review to address improvement work on the A1 Edinburgh to Newcastle corridor is considered a significant omission.
Mrs Hamilton has raised the issue of a lack of transport investment numerous times in Holyrood, and has a local campaign ongoing to dual the A1, improve the A7 and A68, as well as ensuring the Borders Railway extension runs via Hawick and Newcastleton, en route to Carlisle.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“The statements outlined in the Response to Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 by the Borderlands Partnership are unsurprising and I join the co-chairs in expressing my concern at the lack of detail from the SNP Government on transport improvements.
“For far too long, the Borders has missed out on vital infrastructure upgrades, and in recent times, we have seen the SNP Government try and omit the Borders Railway extension from council papers.
“It is clear for all to see that the STPR2 fails to deliver for our area, which is wholly unacceptable.
“There is no forward planning for the Borders and rural areas need every chance to bounce back after Covid.
“Yet we see a SNP Government in Edinburgh neglecting our region once again.
“I will continue my fight to see the A1 fully dualled in Berwickshire, an upgraded A7 and A68, as well as the extension of the Borders railway, rightfully serving Hawick, Newcastleton and beyond to Carlisle”.
