Boundary move splits town in two

The town will now be divided into two constituencies along the river

The Boundaries Commission is set to confirm plans to split the largest town in southern Scotland in two for the purpose of Holyrood elections.

Dumfries will be divided along the length of the River Nith.

Everything to the west will be in the Western Dumfriesshire and Galloway constituency with the rest of the town in Dumfriesshire.

The town's current Labour MSP Elaine Murray said she was "very disappointed" by the decision to split the town.

The moves are part of a Scotland-wide shake-up being made in order to address population changes.

However, Ms Murray said she felt the move ignored the wishes of most of the communities in the town.

She said: "I am very disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to ask my constituents in north west Dumfries and Troqueer and Cargenbridge whether they want to re-elect me in 2011.

"I will have represented them for 12 years by then and it has been a great honour.

"Nevertheless, if selected by the Labour Party to fight the Dumfriesshire seat I will do so with my usual determination to win."

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