ONE local MSP has called for transport bosses to 'come clean' over the status of the A76.

Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell says it’s time for Transport Scotland to 'come clean' over the status of the A76 after he met with officials last week.

Mr Mundell says it is time for transport bosses to seriously look at re-routing the road as the temporary traffic lights continue to blight the area for motorists and residents.

He also says he finds it extraordinary that the major engineering works have only just started on the route, two years on from the traffic lights being put up.

Commenting, Mr Mundell said: “The lack of action on the key trunk route of the A76 continues to astonish me and after meeting with transport bosses this week, I think it is time they come clean about what is really going on here.

“I find it extraordinary that the major engineering works are only beginning to start on the route, two years after so called temporary traffic lights first appeared on the A76.

“It's no wonder local people have no idea when the route will be fully re-opened as they haven’t been getting the full picture from Transport Scotland.

“With the amount of HGV's that use the route, I think it is time that transport officials look at extending this road by putting in another lane.

“With no idea when these works will be finished, the possibility of expanding the road further up the hillside needs to be looked at in order to get two-way traffic moving on the A76.

“I’m extremely disappointed that the A76 has been placed at the bottom of the Scottish Governments priority list and since being elected it has been raised with me time and time again by over 100 people, showing the strength of feeling amongst local people on this issue.

“Residents in the Nithsdale region often bemoan that they live in a forgotten region and it is little wonder given the astonishing lack of progress on the A76. This is causing huge damage to the economy of the region and the lack of transparency is frustrating for residents using the road on a daily basis.”