7. To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to announce the delivery plan for the second strategic transport projects review. (S6O-02258)

This Government is taking significant action to develop, deliver and invest in Scotland’s strategic transport infrastructure for the long term. Work is already under way to deliver 38 of the 45 recommendations in STPR2, with consideration on-going on how best to mobilise the remaining seven.

I thank the minister for that response, but it is hugely disappointing that, despite the commitment that Michael Matheson made in January this year to release details surrounding the delivery plan for STPR2, those have still not been forthcoming. That shows once again the utter contempt that this Scottish Government displays, particularly towards the people of the south-west of Scotland. Despite the promises that have been made year after year, the spend on infrastructure projects in the south has been less than 0.5 per cent of the national infrastructure spend.

Thanks to the Sir Peter Hendy review, which highlighted the desperate need for serious investment in the A75, including a bypass at Crocketford and Springholm, we can now see that those improvements are vital. I am aware that a business plan for the A75 has now been submitted—

The Presiding Officer:

Can I have a question, please, Mr Carson?

—seeking funding from the Government. When will the minister do likewise and do the right thing, fulfilling once and for all his commitment to provide finance towards these projects?

I met Mr Carson and other colleagues from the south of Scotland last week and I outlined some of the work that we are doing. As Mr Carson is well aware, I have met United Kingdom ministers round about the A75 to try to access funding from the union connectivity fund. A draft business case for the A75 has been submitted to the Department for Transport, and it includes a proposal to fund further design and development of options for the realignment of the A75, including around the villages of Springholm and Crocketford, which I know that Mr Carson has an interest in. I hope that the UK Government will respond positively and will hand over the resources that are required in order to get these works going.