Tavish Scott heard local concerns about trunk roads

He was in Dumfries to unveil a number of transport initiatives and meet campaigners seeking action to upgrade the region's main trunk roads.

A spate of fatalities on the A76 led to a petition with 2,000 names being gathered to seek route improvements.

The minister said the executive would look "closely and quickly" at what it could do to address local concerns.

Three road deaths in the space of five weeks prompted calls for a ministerial visit to discuss speeding up improvements to the A76.

There have also been repeated requests for bypass work to be considered at villages on the A75 like Crocketford and Springholm.

Mr Scott said he had taken on board the transport issues of importance to Dumfries and Galloway during his visit.

"I certainly understand as minister of transport the importance of a safe road network in Scotland," he said.

"We will work as closely and as quickly as we can to do what we can to assist at this time."

Galloway and Upper Nithsdale Tory MSP Alex Fergusson welcomed the visit and the commitment to start tackling problems on both routes.

A new cycle bridge over the River Nith was officially opened

"I am delighted that the executive has agreed with me that a number of low cost measures on the A76 will help to reduce the number of accidents," he said.

"If nothing else, the minister is now vividly aware of the issues that are constantly put before him in relation to the A75 by myself and others and it can only be to the good that he has now experienced it for himself," he added.

South of Scotland Scottish National Party MSP Alasdair Morgan echoed that view.

"I hope that the minister will leave Galloway convinced of the importance of making further improvements to the A75 a priority," he said.

During his visit to Dumfries the minister officially opened a new cycle bridge across the River Nith.

He also handed over five new low-floor buses to Stagecoach which have been funded through the Scottish Executive's bus route development fund.