(S3O-9995) Transport (Ayrshire)

6. Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on improving transport infrastructure in Ayrshire. (S3O-9995)

The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson):

We recognise the important role of effective road and rail links in supporting Ayrshire's economic regeneration. We have improved the rail service to Kilmarnock and have upgraded the A77 at Glen App and Haggstone. We are also introducing class 380 rolling stock on services in Ayrshire and we are consulting on further improvements to the A77 at Burnside. In addition, the strategic transport projects review has identified a number of interventions that will benefit Ayrshire, including the upgrading of the A77 around Ayr, bypasses around Maybole and Dalry, and future enhancements of the rail service between Ayrshire and Glasgow.

Irene Oldfather: Is the minister aware that business in North Ayrshire has identified improvements to transport infrastructure as the biggest factor in increasing confidence and investment in the local economy? When will the projects in the strategic transport projects review that will affect North Ayrshire, such as the bypass at Dalry and the upgrading of the A737, be fully allocated a budget and a timescale?

Stewart Stevenson: Contrary to Labour Party leaflets that are currently circulating in the member's constituency, work is in progress on the planning for the Dalry bypass. It is the first time that a Government commitment has been made to that intervention. The class 380 rolling stock is the subject of a £200 million contract, which shows the Government's earnest good faith in making the necessary investments in response to the legitimate requirements of business in North Ayrshire. The Government is addressing the historical neglect that took place under the previous Administration.

Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP): The minister is aware of the imminent move by Stena Line ferries from Stranraer to Cairnryan. Can he give me an assurance that the Government remains committed to the maintenance and development of the railway line south from Ayr through Girvan to Stranraer?

Stewart Stevenson: The railway line to which the member refers is an important part of our infrastructure. We will continue to support that railway line and the services on it, and we will make further investment in improvements to the A75 and the A77 in support of the Stena Line move.

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): The A70 from Ayr to the M74 is one of southern Ayrshire's major economic development routes; yet, to date, it has not been designated a trunk road. I have raised the issue before with the minister. Will he give it further consideration and agree to adopt the A70 as a trunk road so that the route can receive the investment that it needs to improve road safety and boost the economy of southern Ayrshire?

Stewart Stevenson: The member will be aware that the local authorities have this year received an increase in funding above the level that they would have received otherwise. It is a substantial increase. We do not plan to review the trunk roads network across Scotland; I look to the local authority to make the appropriate decisions to meet local needs.

Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): I am delighted that the vital A737 Dalry bypass remains a priority in the strategic transport projects review. Does the minister agree that the Labour Party should apologise to the people of North Ayrshire for deliberately misleading them by telling them that the project, which is on-going, has been shelved?

Stewart Stevenson: It is certainly unhelpful, and it has led to unreasonable concerns among the local community, that the Labour Party is publishing leaflets that are wholly at odds with the action that is taking place.