Campaigners push for joint inquiry into A77 freight corridor in Stranraer
Initiative seeks cross-border action on vital trade route
Last updated 12th Aug 2026
The A77 Campaign Team is urging a unified parliamentary inquiry into the A77 freight corridor, which they argue is a critical international supply chain link for trade between Northern Ireland, Scotland, and the broader UK economy.
Campaigners have contacted over 20 senior legislative figures across Westminster, Holyrood, and Stormont, advocating for inter-governmental collaboration on this matter.
Exposing infrastructure risks
The campaign outlines significant vulnerabilities in the A77 corridor, including risks posed by landslides, fallen trees, or traffic delays on single-carriageway sections that could isolate Northern Ireland's principal ferry link at Cairnryan from Great Britain's road network.
These obstructions can disrupt numerous Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) transporting essential goods such as food, agricultural products, and manufacturing components.
Shifting focus to economic impacts
While road safety remains an important local issue, campaigners are emphasizing the economic consequences to capture the attention of ministers and the Treasury.
They cite wasted driver hours and fuel from HGV tailbacks behind 40mph restrictions and diversions, increased ferry turnaround buffer costs, and higher retail supply chain costs affecting prices in Belfast and delivery times in England and Scotland.
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Call for parliamentary inquiry
The campaigners propose a joint parliamentary session involving the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee and Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. They request transport ministers from Holyrood, Westminster, and Stormont submit official evidence to a unified parliamentary record.
A cross-government representatives' contact list highlights key players like Lord Hendy, Lord Sarwar, Baroness Foster, Scottish Government officials such as Stephen Flynn MSP, and Northern Ireland’s Liz Kimmins MLA.
The A77 Campaign Team said, “For too long, the A77 has been treated as a local road caught between parliamentary siloes. Westminster points to Holyrood, Holyrood balances localized competing budgets, and Stormont feels the supply chain pain without having a direct seat at Transport Scotland's table.”
“By bringing all three jurisdictions into a single room and presenting the economic reality of this single point of failure, we are removing the ability for governments to pass the buck. It is time to treat the A77 as the strategic international asset it is."
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