Get Galloway back on Track: Why Rail, Not Roads, Is the Future for Dumfries & Galloway

The south-west of Scotland has been left behind for far too long. Dumfries and Galloway deserves better than potholed roads, unreliable public transport, and a transport strategy stuck in the last century. It’s time to stop pouring political energy into dualling the A75 and start investing in a bold, future-proof solution: a new rail line linking Dumfries and Stranraer.

A fast, 96km rail corridor between Dumfries and Stranraer wouldn’t just benefit our region, it would become one of the most strategically important rail links in the UK. It would connect directly to the ferry route to Belfast, strengthening ties with Northern Ireland and offering a resilient, low-carbon alternative to road freight across the North Channel.

Rail infrastructure typically costs a third of what new dual carriageways do per mile, and every new rail line built in Scotland —especially the Borders Railway— has smashed demand projections. Why? Because people want better public transport. They want to travel affordably, sustainably, and comfortably. And they want to spend money in the communities they pass through.

The campaign to dual the A75 has been weak, short-sighted and politically wasteful. Years of lobbying have yielded little more than promises and studies. Even if dualling were approved tomorrow, it would take over a decade of disruptive roadworks to complete. And for what? A marginal decrease in travel time for people driving through our region, not to it.

Much of the A75 is vulnerable to sea-level rise and flooding, and expanding it only deepens our dependence on cars and fossil fuels. Scotland is already well behind on its targets to reduce car use and transport emissions, which remain our largest source of carbon pollution. Dualling the A75 is a climate contradiction.

Road-building benefits the wealthy—those who can afford cars and long commutes. It does little for the elderly, the young, or low-income households who rely on public transport. A new rail line would reduce inequality, cut emissions, and revitalise local economies by bringing people into our towns, not speeding them past.

This is a moment for vision, not more tarmac. Let’s invest in a rail future that connects Dumfries to Stranraer, links Scotland to Northern Ireland, and puts our region on the map for the right reasons.

Let’s build the railway.Let’s stop wasting time -and carbon- on the A75. Let’s build the railway.

You can follow my campaign on social media or contact me directly through this blog. I'd love to hear from you.

Laura Moodie
Scottish Green Party Candidate for South of Scotland