Local constituency MSP Finlay Carson has again challenged the Scottish Government over its refusal to provide funding for a new bridge in Kirkcudbright.
He raised the thorny issue on Wednesday after highlighting the “double standards” being applied elsewhere – including in the First Minister’s own constituency!
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP insisted it was “regrettable” the amount of money spent on transport infrastructure in the south west corner of Scotland.
Mr Carson described the sum spent had been “non-existent” in comparison to other areas, reportedly as little as 0.5 per cent of the total Scottish infrastructure spend.
He told the Scottish Parliament: “As you are possibly aware the century-old concrete bridge in my home town of Kirkcudbright has been ruled unsafe leaving the town effectively split in tow.
“I have previously pressed the First Minister to provide additional funding to allow a new bridge to be constructed.
“However, sadly, my plea has fallen on deaf ears. This is despite the Scottish Government providing £40 million of funding to open the Destiny Bridge in his own constituency as well as £3 million towards the Kessock Bridge over the Beauly Firth and £12.5 million to build a bridge at Merkle in East Lothian to replace the level crossing there.”
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP challenged the minister Richard Lochhead if he agreed with constituents in, what is now the forgotten past of Scotland – now the ignored corner.
Mr Carson continued: “This stinks horribly of double standards and further dismissal of the needs of the people in Kirkcudbright and wider south west Scotland?”
