§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he hopes to commence construction, respectively, of bypasses at Collin, Carrutherstown, Annan, Darnock, Eastriggs and Rigg on the A75.
§ Mr. McElhoneIt is planned to start work on a bypass of Collin in 1981 and a combined bypass of Annan, Dornock, Eastriggs and Rigg in 1982. There are no plans at present for a bypass of Carrutherstown.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the A75 improvement programme for 1977–78, 1978–79 and 1979–80.
§ Mr. McElhoneIn the period 1977–78 to 1979–80 work on the major scheme to bypass Newton Stewart should be completed. Major works scheduled to start in the period are the replacement of Shennanton Bridge and associated road works and also Drumflower Bridge and associated road works.
§ Mr. Monroasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish an estimate of the number of vehicles using the A75 in 1966 and 1976, respectively, or to the nearest convenient dates at a point between Dumfries and Gretna and Dumfries and Stranraer; and what is the proportion of heavy goods vehicles.
§ Mr. McElhoneIt is estimated that on an average August day traffic on the A75 at Rigg—between Dumfries and Gretna 695W —amounted to 5,600 vehicles in 1965 and 7,930 in 1975 of which 13.3 per cent. and 13.4 per cent. respectively were goods vehicles over 30cwt. Traffic volumes at a point between Gatehouse of Fleet and Twynholm—between Dumfries and Stranraer—amounted to 2,670 in 1965 and 4,060 in 1977 of which 8.9 per cent. and 11.8 per cent. respectively were goods vehicles over 30 cwt.