AECOM has been selected to carry out a transport improvement study in the south west of Scotland.

The probe will focus on access to the ports at Cairnryan and the findings will help inform the Scottish Government's forthcoming review of transport investment priorities through the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR).

The STPR will be aligned with the next National Planning Framework and will consider future opportunities across the whole of Scotland.

The study, which will consider improvements to road, rail, public transport and active travel, is scheduled to start in April (subject to completion of the mandatory standstill period).

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Transport Minister, Humza Yousaf said: "In the Programme for Government the Scottish Government re-affirmed the commitment to commence work for the second Strategic Transport Projects Review in the Dumfries and Galloway area. This would include a specific focus on the ports at Cairnryan.

"This study will take forward that commitment by considering how we can improve road, rail, public transport and active travel on the key strategic corridors including the A75, A76, A77 and A701 together with the railway corridors to Stranraer and Carlisle via Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

"Working with partners in Dumfries and Galloway, East and South Ayrshire Councils as well as SWestrans and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Transport Scotland will identify a range of options for improving transport that can be considered as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review which will look at future transport infrastructure projects for the whole of Scotland. These options could include new rail services, improvements to existing road and active travel infrastructure and improved public transport provision."

(LM)