Residents and motorists in Dumfries and Galloway are demanding answers regarding roadworks that have caused a significant detour of nearly 100 miles. The construction by Amey on the A75 at Mossyard and Auchenlarie near Gatehouse has resulted in overnight closures, forcing travellers, including ferry traffic, to take a lengthy route between Castle Douglas and Newton Stewart.
Typically a 30-mile journey, the detour has stretched to 96 miles, taking around two and a half hours instead of the usual 40 minutes. MSP Finlay Carson, representing Galloway and West Dumfries, is urgently calling for discussions with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop to address the situation. Carson expressed concerns about the prolonged closures and the suitability of alternative roads suggested for diversion.
The roadworks, which began earlier this month but paused for school holidays, are set to resume with overnight closures from 8 pm to 8 am between October 8 and November 2. Amey has advised drivers to leave the A75 at Castle Douglas, take the A713 through Crossmichael, Parton, Dalry, and Carsphairn to Ayr, then continue on the A77 to Girvan and the A714 to Newton Stewart before rejoining the A75.
Carson emphasised the need to review Amey’s capacity to expedite the works within a shorter timeframe without resorting to full closures. He proposed that aligning different schemes could potentially prevent the need for complete road shutdowns. With motorists facing extended travel times and inconvenience, the community awaits a resolution to alleviate the impact of the ongoing roadworks.
In conclusion, residents and officials are calling for transparency and efficiency in managing the roadworks on the A75 to minimise disruptions and ensure a smoother commute for all road users. The collaboration between stakeholders is crucial to finding viable solutions that balance the need for infrastructure improvements with minimal inconvenience to the public.