Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has met with UK Government Transport Minster Stephen Hammond MP to discuss the possibility of a new north bound junction on the M6 south of Gretna.
Given the current setup of the junction Mr Mundell is clear that the only logical place for this junction would be south of the existing Gretna slip road on the M6 and has now taken the issue up with the UK Transport Minster. Mr Hammond has agreed to set up a meeting with the Highways Agency to see if more detailed proposals could be brought forward.
At present the two former north-facing slip roads still exist, but are not suitable for use and are normally closed by gates at their south ends. From the motorway they are signed as a works unit, and the hard shoulder continues across their entrances. The junction which is the most northerly motorway junction in England lies less than 400 yards to the south of Mr Mundell’s constituency where the M6 becomes the A74(M).
At present north bound traffic from Longtown and expanding developments north of Carlisle is passing though Gretna. The heavy flow of traffic is causing problems to local residents and making it more dangerous and at times difficult to cross roads in the area. Mr Mundell is calling for the junction to be remodelled with new slip roads constructed.
Commenting following the meeting Mr. Mundell said: “I have met with the Transport Minster to ask him to intervene and make sure that the current arrangement for North bound motorway traffic from the south of Gretna is reviewed. He agreed at the meeting to ask the Highways Agency to get fully involved and I hope we can make some progress this time round.
“It is nonsensical not to make this a fully operational junction whilst residents put up with motorway bound traffic. The recent developments north of Carlisle have only made matters worse with heavy traffic clogging up the roads in and around Gretna. I have once again had a number of local residents at my surgery complaining about the noise and speeding through Gretna and Gretna Green.”