Shovel ready A75 scheme gets £20 million

27 June 2012

Brown says Finance Secretary funding will allow Hardgrove works to start

Finance Secretary, John Swinney today confirmed to Parliament a raft of ‘shovel ready’ schemes which are set to benefit from accelerated capital expenditure.

Included on the list is the Hardgrove to Kinmount scheme on the A75 which will get £20 million in funding over the next two years to allow work to start.

Welcoming the news, Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

“At the members Debate on May 31st, I said I intended to be the Transport Minister who built this road and I am delighted that the necessary funding has been found.

“The news will be welcomed by local communities along this road who have been pressing for funds to be found to ensure this scheme can go ahead.

“The necessary preparation works, including design and statutory processes have been completed which will ensure work can start almost immediately,  and the benefits of the scheme can begin to be felt.

“We have witnessed some tragic accidents on the A75 in recent months, no more tragic than the death of a three week old baby. My deepest sympathies are with the parents, family and friends at what must continue to be an extremely difficult and emotional time for them.
 
“As a Government we have listened to the views expressed by campaigners, by the local media, and all of those who wanted to see this scheme progress, that funding be found, and I hope confirmation of this today has shown that we have also acted.”

More details of the shovel ready schemes which have benefited from today’s accelerated capital spending announcement can be found on the Scottish Government’s website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/News-Today