When the SNP Government announced that it was to finally start on the long awaited Dalry Bypass in their budget statement on 8th of February it seemed like good news for North Ayrshire. I have written previously how much this area needs investment in infrastructure to provide both construction jobs in the short term and improve the areas competitiveness long term. While Scottish Government statisticians have identified North Ayrshire as an area of deprivation it has always invested its capital in other areas.
I looked at the Transport Scotland web site for more details on this new funding and was surprised that it stated that the funding was for £10million of a £28million project. Previously there were plans for some safety related works on the A737 which included roundabouts installed at the junctions for the roads to Barmill and to Gateside and for the realignment of the road at The Den. These works have been repeatedly delayed over the past 5 years and it has been suggested that their estimated cost of around £7million was diverted towards the Forth Bridge project.
The Dalry bypass is a priority that we need fully completed as soon as possible and North Ayrshire Council Labour group have lobbied government extensively to get this road on their capital programme, I welcome this initial funding but we must continue to press them to make sure all of the funding is available to complete the project.
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