Rachael Hamilton MSP held a constructive meeting at Westminster with Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP covering a range of cross border issues.
Meeting with the Berwick-upon-Tweed MP, at the top of the agenda was the urgent need to see cross border collaboration on the A1. Ms Hamilton and Ms Trevelyan want to see a fully dualled route north and south of the Border.
Both parliamentarians agreed that more work must be done by both UK and Scottish Governments to secure funding for further upgrades.
The lack of action on the A1 is influencing communities along the A68 and A697, especially Coldstream, where over 900 lorries pass through the town in a week.
Ms Hamilton is calling on the Scottish Government in Edinburgh to commit more funding and a feasibility study on the upgrading of the A1 between Dunbar and the Border.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Meeting with Anne-Marie Trevelyan was a fantastic opportunity to discuss cross borders issues.
“The dualling of the A1 was at the forefront of our discussions, and whilst it is encouraging to see progress south of the border, the SNP must realise the importance of the upgrading the undualled sections of this vital route north of the border.
“We both agreed that the movement of traffic through Northumberland and the Scottish Borders is putting strain on routes such as the A68 and A697, with Coldstream bearing the brunt of HGV traffic.
“I will continue to push the SNP Government to work with the UK Government to work on upgrading the A1, it is only right that Berwickshire and beyond get better connections north and south”.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed said:
“It was a pleasure to meet up with Rachael and to have her support for my campaign to dual the A1 up to the border and beyond.
“The UK Government has already invested £290 million in the first 13 mile stretch, but it is vital for the local economies on both sides of the border to continue the job so that connections between Northumberland and Berwickshire can be improved.
“I welcome Rachael’s support and her commitment to encourage the SNP to show similar support for upgrade work north of the border.”