McAlpine urges local people to maintain “head start” on transport review with new survey

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South Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine has urged local people to “keep up the momentum” by responding to a survey on Scotland’s National Transport Strategy announced by minister Humza Yousaf in Dumfries earlier this year.
 
The early engagement survey will gather the views of individuals, organisations and communities to shape the key policy themes for Scotland’s future transport links.
 
Ms McAlpine said the Dumfries and Galloway Transport Summit and follow up this year meant the region already had a “head start” and it was important to maintain this lead.
 
The MSP commented:
 
“I was delighted when the transport minister first announced the national strategy review at the Dumfries and Galloway Transport Summit in August this year.  It was because of this that the local council run transport partnership, SWestrans, finally got round to ordering a new local transport strategy which was long overdue.
 
“This new online survey is an important opportunity for people in Dumfries and Galloway to begin to shape the national agenda prior to the public consultation, so I would strongly encourage local transport users to feed in their views. 
 
“The review itself will update the long-term vision for Scotland’s transport policies and identify strategic infrastructure priorities.  This is required because the priorities which were previously identified have now been delivered – the majority by the SNP Government since 2007, including the Dunragit Bypass and the Hardgrove to Kinmount upgrade.
 
“Like many of my constituents I will be arguing for better connections to the central belt, and will continue to make the case for upgrades to our region’s road and rail networks.”
 
The survey will be open will to responses until 31 March 2017, when it will be followed by a wider programme of national engagement ahead of a full public consultation.
 
To take part in the survey visit the National Transport Strategy website: http://www.transport.gov.scot/strategy/national-transport-strategy