Urgent need for a rail corridor alternative

 re: https://www.dgwgo.com/dumfries-galloway-news/new-a75-bypass-must-be-a-dual-carriageway-say-port-operators/

As per our web page: 

https://brtarail.com/dumfries-to-stranraer/ 

We want a direct curve onto the Ayrshire coast railway and vice versa and a study into a new Solway Viaduct to bypass Carlisle for growing freight. 

The freight is growing and currently A75 is reaching a stage where expansion is being sought, when what is needed is a rail alternative parallel to the A75 to give more modal choices and modal shift to save Dumfries and Galloway from the corrosive impact of ever more road expansion, vehicle dependency cultures and rat runs.

Cairnryan is flexing its muscles as a premier sea port and so direct rail linkages into the port from A75 and other places is what is needed to give proper rail-based competition.

BRTA calls on the Scottish Government to kindly intervene and:

1. Demand for the former route of the Dumfries-Stranraer et al rail link, closed 1965 bitterly resisted by the people along its route; that the route be protected and deviation spaces or select new-build is given due consideration as to land use at a planning and national stewardship. Growth is not bad, but needs managing in a sustainable manner. The absence of rail is a glaring gap and impediment to fair competition and that of land use and the environment.

2. That it is 11th hour and timely for a proper full-blown feasibility study to be done into the business case, feasibility and engineering context of a reopened rail corridor including an arm to Kirkcudbright, where BRTA believes portal facilities could also be nurtured. 

3. BRTA intends to hold another meeting in Dumfries to bring more people together in 2026 and details will be published in due course on our website events page: https://brtarail.com/events/

4. Please write to your MP and MSP respectively as well as local councils to encourage looking at things away from piecemeal or parochial fashion and see the passenger and freight by rail benefits reopening the rail link offers.

5. Meanwhile, people can join BRTA or donate and help us grow our own Scottish Team. We welcome to liaise and work with others too and are encouraged others are stirring to reopen the rail link, which surely deserves protection and studies with a view to address the growing demand and absence of a rail solution. Thank you.