By a Newsnet reporter
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson has given a warm welcome to this afternoon’s announcement from the Scottish Government that work on the Dalry bypass is to begin later this year. Transport Scotland has published the OJEU notice for the works which are expected to start later this summer.
Funding for the bypass was announced in February when the Scottish Government presented its Budget Bill for 2012/13 to Holyrood.
SNP Finance Secretary John Swinney announced £10 million for financial year 2014/15 to start building the £28 million A737 Dalry Bypass in 2014 following completion of the statutory process, which includes compulsory land purchase orders, route development and public consultation.
Local Labour MSPs had demanded that the Scottish Government start work on the road ever since the SNP came to power, however they voted against the Budget Bill when it was presented to Holyrood. The bypass has been described by North Ayrshire Council as the most important infrastructure project for the economic regeneration of North Ayrshire.
Said Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson:
“I warmly welcome this announcement from the SNP Government, which brings the Dalry bypass a step closer.
“North Ayrshire Council has called this the most important infrastructure project for the regeneration of North Ayrshire, key as it is to helping unlock much of the Garnock Valley, Irvine, and the three towns to inward investment and job creation.
“Labour of course voted against funding for this vital upgrade in the Scottish Government’s budget this year – but the SNP Government has stuck to its word and this project will now go ahead.
“This is just one of a number of essential infrastructure projects which the Scottish Government is pressing ahead with, despite significant cuts to our capital budget from Westminster – building for recovery.”