DG Standard campaign to upgrade notorious A75 is success

Jun 29 2012 by Craig Robertson, Dumfries Standard Friday

A75 Campaign

THE STANDARDS campaign to upgrade a killer stretch of the A75 has been won.

The Scottish Government this week bowed to people power and agreed to fund the s20 million redevelopment of the road from Hardgrove to Kinmount.

It was announced on Wednesday morning just hours before our petition, signed by 4,352 readers, was presented to Transport Minister Keith Brown in the Scottish Parliament.

He admitted the strength of the campaign had spurred them into action.

It was launched following the tragic death of 18-day-old Oliver Hewson on the A75 at Hardgrove crossroads in March.

His parents, Eddie and Suzanne, yesterday praised those who supported the campaign.

Suzanne said: I was absolutely delighted to hear the Scottish Governments announcement.

This is brilliant news and I am so glad that the government has listened to the local public.

The reaction to the campaign was incredible and this upgrade will act as a huge relief to so many.

Mr Brown, the transport minister, said: There is no question that the campaign has had an effect. It shows that we have listened to what was said, not just from Eddie and Suzanne Hewson but from the local campaigners.

The upgrade, which has been talked about since 1986, will start at the turn of the year, taking 12 months to complete.

It will see a new 2.2 mile stretch of the A75 created from just outside Carrutherstown to bypass the Hargrove crossroads.