BORDERS politicians have urged the next First Minister of Scotland to invest in rural Borders roads.

John Lamont MP and Rachael Hamilton MSP issued a joint statement to the candidates in the SNP leadership race to demand more Scottish Government funding for key roads across the Borders.

They said that the next government leader must make it a “top priority” to invest in crucial roads such as the A1, A7 and A68.

The next First Minister is currently being chosen by SNP members. The three candidates are Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan. The results of the leadership election are expected on 27 March.

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Mr Lamont said: “Good local roads are vital for people’s everyday lives, so they can visit family, get to work and run their businesses.

“It is crucial for Borders residents that the next First Minister makes it a top priority to dual the A1 and renew the A7 and A68.

“A strong road renewal programme would improve people’s daily lives, help our local economy and deliver more jobs.

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“We need to see improvements and I hope Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan will promise to deliver the local roads that people in the Borders deserve."

Border Telegraph: Christine Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MPChristine Hamilton MSP and John Lamont MP

Ms Hamilton said: “In recent years, the SNP-Green Government in Holyrood has been very anti-driver and that must change.

“There has been a great reluctance from Nicola Sturgeon to invest in improvements to local roads or fund councils properly to fix potholes.

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“Whoever wins the SNP leadership race must take a new approach and restore our roads.

“We will keep pushing for improvements to local infrastructure because we know how vital it is that we have good, safe roads across the Scottish Borders.”