Wigtown Area Committee (Community) Minutes

PROCEDURE - The Vice Chairman assumed the role of Chairman for this meeting.

5 Members present, 3 apologies and 1 not present at the start.

NONE declared.

MEMBER -  Alistair Geddes joined the meeting - 6 Members present.

Decision

3.1     AGREED the format for the evening as detailed at paragraph 4 of the report with the exclusion of break out group sessions;
 NOTED

3.2   the information received from Transport Scotland and Scotland TranServ on the proposed upgrade works and timescales for improvements to the A77 and A75;

3.3   that Transport Scotland have a Customer Care Phone Number  0800 028 1414 which concerns/observations can be reported and responses direct to the customer can be arranged;

3.4     AGREED in order to provide an opportunity for further discussion the Chairman, on behalf of Wigtown Area Committee, would write  and invite MPs and MSPs for the South of Scotland to attend a future meeting;
3.5     FURTHER AGREED to request that Transport Scotland consider and respond as appropriate to the following comments raised by the public at the meeting:-

• to keep Cairnryan Community Council fully informed on negotiations with Fountain Forestry and the arrangements for using the A77 through Cairnryan for timber extraction;
• to keep Cairnryan Community Council informed of any background issues in relation to the monitoring of traffic within the village of Cairnryan and the signage required;
• details of timescales and action for improvements to the A75 westbound carriageway at the Barlae dual carriage;
• Link Road at Inchpark School / Innermessan to join A75 and A77 - that this is assessed as a possible roundabout as it is a busy and dangerous junction. Noted that Transport Scotland would include in discussions with Ferry Operators and Road Safety Colleagues and feedback to Area Committee;
• to keep the public fully briefed in relation to the options/design and timescales for the A77 improvements to landslide issues and to minimise the disruption to road users as much as possible;
• to request that the section of Trunk Road A77 Cairnryan-Ayr is considered for a major infrastructure upgrade to improve the safety of this road for all road users and possible increase in HGV mph to 50mph in line with the rest of the Trunk Roads in Scotland;
• to receive information in relation to the previous agreement, when Stena Line had approval to build their ferry port at Cairnryan, that overtaking lanes would be provided and when these will be put in place;
• to receive an update on the position of maintenance issues Transport Scotland had already agreed to deliver, including some lines and reflectors still requiring to be completed;
• To provide an update to Wigtown Area Committee on the written list of Road/Areas which require repairs of surface breakups and potholes provided to Transport Scotland from Councillor Iain Dick; and

3.6     AGREED to recommend to the Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee that they consider the following:-

• to invite South Ayrshire Council to join in producing an Economic Impact Assessment on the A77 and jointly submitting this to Transport Scotland for consideration;
• to request that this Council lobby's Ministers to get a major upgrade in infrastructure for the A75 and A77 within Dumfries and Galloway Council area;
• to request approval that the existing Officer led  A75 Operational Forum should be allowed to incorporate appropriate Community Groups to assist in leading the way forward, eg. A75 Action Group; and
• that Wigtown Area Committee be kept informed of developments and that feedback is provided and mechanisms put in place to keep the communities updated with feedback also.

Decision

NOTED that no items of public forum had been submitted.

Decision

NOTED that there was no business deemed urgent by the Chairman due to the need for a decision.