How many times do we drive down a road and notice there are exits that lead to nowhere? Many times I am sure, the reason for this may be obvious, planners have an agenda on the drawing board but perhaps due to public opinion cannot continue with their objective or maybe money is in short supply. Whatever the reason, an unfinished road can be an interesting topic of conversation.

The M74 is one such topic which has been high on the discussion agenda for a long time. It requires an extension to be built at the North end which will turn the road into a continuous motorway shown in the illustration above. Drivers heading towards the Edinburgh area, having travelled from the south of the M74, will find it much easier and convenient to use the extension, then the M8, instead of turning off at earlier exits displaying Edinburgh signs and travelling along country roads.

A recent announcement by the Scottish Executive, to build the extension, is a blessing in disguise for the traveller. However, the Scottish Executive are also involved with the upgrading of the southern end of the M74 prior to it reaching Carlisle and the M6 to the South. Apparently the hold up is due to 'who' will pay for the upgrade, the Scottish Executive feel it is not their responsibility as much of the M6 is in England, the Department of Transport feel the cost should be born by the Scottish Executive as the majority of the M74 is in Scotland. However, lying behind this is the fact that when the road is eventually all one motorway it will be known as the M6. Existing road signs positioned along the M74 like the examples above, have removable plates which reveal M6 underneath.

Who cares who pays for it, it is a necessary requirement to improve our transport network, at the end of the day it is the Treasury's money being argued over.

Editor

Results of the Opinion Poll are as follows:-

Blair to Stay 45%

Blair to Go 55%

From the comments received with the Blair to go votes Gordon Brown was the clear favourite to replace Tony Blair.

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