Ground investigations advance on A75 Springholm and Crocketford bypass plans

Progress is accelerating on two proposed bypasses along the A75 in Dumfries and Galloway after Transport Scotland confirmed £1.1 million for essential ground investigations at Springholm and Crocketford.

The funding has been awarded to Causeway Geotech Ltd to undertake detailed site investigations that will inform the ongoing design and route assessment process.

The A75 is a key strategic trunk road connecting south-west Scotland with ferry ports serving Northern Ireland, and long-standing concerns have centred on safety, congestion and community impact where the route passes directly through villages.

Eight-week programme under way

Site works are due to begin this month and will run for approximately eight weeks. The investigations will gather vital geotechnical and environmental data to support route alignment development, earthworks and drainage design, and more robust cost modelling.

Undertaking ground investigations at this stage is intended to reduce delivery risk by identifying soil conditions, groundwater levels and other potential constraints early in the design process. This allows project teams to refine route options and improve cost certainty ahead of the outline business case.

Political support and funding assurances

The milestone has been welcomed by regional representatives, who have described the schemes as potentially transformative for Springholm and Crocketford. Removing trunk road traffic from village centres is expected to improve road safety, reduce severance and enhance quality of life for residents, while also improving journey times and reliability on a key freight corridor.

Finlay Carson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, sought clarification on whether full dualling remains under consideration. Responding for the Scottish Government, Shona Robison confirmed that improvements to the A75 and A77, including the bypass proposals, are included within current financial planning. She added that design assessment work is progressing, with a preferred route option targeted by early 2027.

Funding from the UK Government will support completion of the current study phase and help shape the outline business case for the corridor.

Strategic step forward

For the highways sector, the move into ground investigations marks a significant transition from high-level feasibility to more detailed design and appraisal. If a preferred route is confirmed by 2027, the schemes would move closer to statutory processes and potential procurement, offering long-term gains in resilience, journey time reliability and community safety across south-west Scotland.