A75 improvements: Dumfries and Galloway villages could be bypassed as £3m pledged

The UK Government has announced it is giving an extra £3.45m to the Scottish Government to look at improvements to the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway.

The Scottish Secretary says it means the UK Government is providing the "full" funding for the feasibility study to consider bypassing two villages on the road.

The A75, which is a primary trunk road in Scotland, connects Stranraer and ferry ports at Cairnryan to the M6 and A74(M) at Gretna.

It serves as a crucial route for traffic heading between Northern Ireland, England, and the rest of Scotland, particularly for those using the ferries to Northern Ireland. It is largely single-carriageway, which can lead to congestion, and longstanding safety concerns.

In 2023, the then Conservative government at Westminster announced it would provide £8m for the research into upgrading the A75.

After Labour won the general election, they announced at the Budget in October 2024 they would provide up to £5m towards the study. They say today's funding comes "on top" of that.

John Cooper, the Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway, told ITV Border: It’s telling that the money is a confirmation of funding earmarked by the previous administration."

Decisions over transport are devolved to Holyrood, and any work to complete improvements to the road would likely have to come out of the Scottish Government's budget.

Transport Scotland, the Scottish Government's transport agency, said they recognise the "strategic importance" of the A75 and have completed six major improvement projects on the road, but face "significant pressures" on their budget for infrastructure.

Today's announcement is part of £66m announced by the Chancellor for Scottish transport improvements.

The UK Government describes the A75 as a "key road... vital to UK connectivity and growing the economy."

On the topic, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: "the A75 is strategically important just not within but beyond Scotland. Its upgrading is long overdue. I am pleased that the UK Government has stepped up to fund the delivery of the A75 feasibility study in full.

"This investment is yet another example of how the UK Government is building the foundations for a stronger, more prosperous future that benefits communities right across Scotland."

Transport Scotland says: “The strategic importance of both the A75 and A77 to Scotland’s economy is recognised by this Government. We value the critical link they provide to the wider markets in the rest of the UK and Europe by connecting the ports at Cairnryan to the wider trunk road network.

“Ministers have chaired the Convention of South of Scotland discussion on transport, met the Leaders of Dumfries and Galloway and South Ayrshire Councils, had a roundtable discussion with campaigners calling for road improvements to the A75 and A77 in Girvan, and also extended an offer to form a “South West Scotland Roads – Focus Group”. The purpose of this group is to improve the flow of information with the campaign groups and wider stakeholders, and look at longer term strategic investment for both the A75 and A77.

“In terms of the A75 we have completed six major roads improvement projects with a total value of over £50 million. While the UK Autumn Budget marked a step in the right direction, it does not make up for fourteen years of underinvestment – austerity cannot be undone in one year. We are still facing significant pressures on our capital budget, which is significantly affecting our ability to maintain investment on all of Scotland’s transport infrastructure.

“Additionally, we have wasted no time in progressing the design and assessment work to consider options for realigning the A75 trunk road at the villages of Springholm and Crocketford."

Dumfries and Galloway MP, John Cooper, said: "While I am delighted the UK Government is taking the view that the A75 is of national importance, it’s telling that the money is a confirmation of funding earmarked by the previous administration.

"The road is critical to Dumfries & Galloway as well as being the key link for Northern Ireland to the rest of the UK. The Scottish Government need to step up with some serious safety improvements and stop pointing to basic maintenance as though these were big investments.

"It’s telling that outgoing Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop is still running scared, refusing to meet me to discuss safety. There have been a slew of accidents in the A75 this summer and both Transport Scotland and Police Scotland are not proactive in putting out the statistics.

"The people of Dumfries & Galloway have two governments, one in Holyrood and one in Westminster. Neither is seriously gripping the problems on the A75, which is swamped by the size and sheer number of modern artic lorries."

Finlay Carson, Conservative MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, said: "While any investment in Scotland’s transport infrastructure is welcome, today’s announcement is deeply disappointing for the people of Dumfries and Galloway.

"The £66 million figure may sound impressive, but in reality, in terms of the A75, it merely reinstates funding previously committed by the UK Conservative Government. There is no new money for the long-overdue upgrade of the A75 – a route that is vital not just for our region, but for the entire UK’s connectivity with Northern Ireland.

"Once again, we see a feasibility study offered in place of firm action. There is nothing for the A77! Communities across the South West have waited far too long for meaningful progress on this key strategic route. The time for studies is over – we need a clear timetable and full funding for delivery.

"Equally concerning is the continued silence from the SNP-led Scottish Government. Despite repeated calls from local residents, businesses, and elected representatives, there remains no commitment from Holyrood to prioritise or fund the A75 upgrade. This lack of urgency is unacceptable and leaves our region at a disadvantage.I will continue to press both governments to stop passing the buck and start delivering the infrastructure improvements our communities deserve."

This comes weeks after campaigners in Dumfries and Galloway expressed frustration that no money was announced for the A75 in the UK Government's spending review.

At the time, Springholm and Crocketford residents said this was an opportunity to commit project funding, and were disappointed both the UK Government and the Scottish Government hadn't dedicated money to feasibility study.

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