Campaigners calling for improvements to the A77 between Ayr and Stranraer took their concerns to Holyrood.

The road is the main artery between most of Scotland and the Irish ferries but the action group claim it is 'one of the most dangerous' routes.

Locals say investment is needed as regular delays and closures are affecting the area's economy.

Over the 45 mile route there are eight town limits, including Maybole which is now set to get a bypass.

The action group attended a hearing before the Scottish Parliament Petitions Committee on Thursday.

At the hearing, campaigner John Campbell said : "I was 33 years as a part time fire fighter in Maybole going to hundreds of crashes. I have been at dozen of fatalities up and down that road.

"Even though we are a part time fire station for many year we were one of the busiest stations of any kind any where in Scotland for crashes.

"At one time we went to five times more crashes than we did any house fires or any other serious fires."

The group also focused on communities being cut off from the rest of Scotland citing 21 road closures over a 12 month period.

Councillor Willie Scobie commented: "In terms of the economy of the South west of Scotland it has areas of deprivation and run down areas which lead to increased unemployment which relies a lot on state benefit.

"We have a lot of young people, our generation, leaving the area. We need to try to boost the whole economy in Ayrshire."

The petitions committee say it will now look to call the Transport Minister to comment on his overall plan for the area.