HC Deb 01 December 1971 vol 827 c439
26. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the percentage increase of traffic on the A75 trunk road since 1964, or the nearest convenient year for which statistics are available.

Mr. Younger

Between mid-1965 and mid-1971 the average annual rate of growth of traffic on A75 varied from about 5½ per cent. west of Newton Stewart to less than 1½ per cent. between Gretna and Dumfries.

Mr. Brewis

Is my hon. Friend aware that these percentages include a disproportionate amount of very heavy lorries which pass along the road day and night causing considerable disturbance? Will he look at the schemes for a bypass for towns like Newton Stewart and Gatehouse of Fleet, because they were planned as many as 25 years ago?

Mr. Younger

I agree that there has been some increase in traffic but the road has had a less steep increase in traffic than the Scottish average. At the moment there is a systematic improvement of the road going on and schemes estimated to cost more than £1,100,000 are either in progress or programmed to begin in the short term.