ALBA Party leader Alex Salmond has called for the Borders Railway to be extended to Carlisle and for the dualling of the A77 from Ayr to Stranraer in order to “turbo boost” economic recovery in the area and the south of Scotland.

Speaking at the launch of the Alba south of Scotland campaign yesterday, Salmond said: “As we emerge from Covid it can not be a case of business as usual or of small scale incremental changes.

“We need to think big if we are to bring about a sustainable economic recovery, breathe new life into our towns and villages and spread the economic benefits out of the central belt.

“Alba will invest through a Scottish National Investment Bank to connect the towns and communities of South Scotland through better transport and broadband connectivity.

“But we will also invest in our communities through a Scottish National Housing Company to build new good quality, energy-efficient homes for young families and we will build a new generation of world-class modern care homes for older citizens.

“While the SNP drag their feet and the Greens are soft on independence, Alba is the only party making independence a priority in this election.

“Only independence will give us the full economic powers and the financial clout to borrow for the long term at low-interest rates.”

Salmond also explained again why his party was list-only. He said: “All the recent polling suggests the SNP are likely to win more constituency seats in the South Scotland at this coming election, compared with 2016.

“But for every constituency seat the SNP gain they are likely to lose a regional list MSP back to the pro-Union parties.

“The only way to stop this is to vote for Alba on the regional list to guarantee both votes will count towards independence in South Scotland.”