The Highways Agency has confirmed to Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell that they are to shortly carry out a detailed traffic movements study in the Gretna area which could provide important evidence to support the construction of a new northbound junction onto the M6/M74 motorway, meaning traffic from the Longtown area and the north of Carlisle would not have to pass through Gretna and Gretna Green as it currently does.
The undertaking came at meeting Mr Mundell chaired in Gretna Green involving Gretna & Rigg Community Council, Gretna Green & Springfield Community Council and Kirkandrews on Esk Parish Council with The Highways Agency, Cumbria County Council and local hauliers.
Mr Mundell said: "There have been ongoing concerns about the amount traffic going through Gretna and Gretna Green, particularly lorries, since the northbound access to the motorway on the flyover to the south of Gretna was closed when the motorway was built.
“This has increased with new developments to the north of Carlisle. Having previously met with the Highways Agency and Transport Scotland it is clear the existing access cannot be reopened because of new regulations on the distance between motorway junctions. That is why we held this meeting to look at options for a new junction.
"The situation is further complicated by the fact that, although Gretna and Gretna Green are the communities affected, the existing junction and any new one would be in England. That's why we have to work closely with colleagues south of the Border, to get their support and funding for this proposal, and that's why the Highways Agency traffic study is such an important step.
"The Highways Agency already own land opposite Mossband and the meeting agreed that the Agency should be encouraged to work up proposals for a junction at that location as part of their current review of the Route Based Strategy for the M6. I am looking to convene another meeting in December when hopefully the results of the traffic study will be available. There is a long way still to go, but I do feel we are making real progress in this effort to try and reduce the amount of heavy traffic going through Gretna and Gretna Green."