Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell has hailed a summit meeting on the A708 Borders route as “progress”.
The MP convened the action meeting to discuss the state of the A708 tourist route between Moffat and Selkirk.
The scenic route, whilst an important link to the Borders, is suffering from under investment, resulting in subsidence and serious potholing.
The road was closed for several days in April after a large section collapsed into a stream, forcing motorists to take lengthy detours.
Now the local MP wants action to bring the busy road up to an acceptable standard, and is calling on the Scottish Government to provide more support to the two affected local councils.
The meeting in Moffat Water Hall was attended by local residents and representatives from the police and Dumfries and Galloway roads and planning departments.
At the meeting the group discussed related issues, road safety and a previous survey of the road carried out over a decade ago
Council official revealed to local residents that they are set to increase funding available for work on the route with £390,000 extra cash being made available for repairs, and a further £50,000 for drainage.
There was also the possibility of more money from a special timber fund.
Afterwards Mr Mundell said: “The announcement of increased funds is a good start. Obviously more needs to be done in theshort term it is essential to get this initial wave of investment underway.
“The meeting itself was very positive and brought together all the key stakeholders to make sure everyone is kept fully informed and ensure that we have a plan moving forward.”
“One of the main things to come out of the meeting was the fact that many of the improvements identified in the previous survey simply haven’t been taken forward. Having campaigned on this issue for years now, I am really pleased that we are finally seeing some progress and that the concerns of local people will finally be heard,” he added.
Mr Mundell went on: “The A708 is a direct link route between Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders and I and others have expressed concerns in the past about the condition along stretches of the scenic route. Sections of the road have collapsed before with barriers put in place, effectively creating single-file traffic and I am pleased that Dumfries and Galloway Council are going to put in some of the resources required.
The MP, who has previously warned of potential problems on this busy Borders tourist route, has already written to Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown, urging him to provide support to Dumfries and Galloway Council. Sadly the Scottish Government do not see the road as a funding priority at this time but Mr Mundell has pledged to keep up the pressure on behalf of local residents.