As the provincial government grapples with plans for Highway 7/8, Randy Pettapiece wants to ensure local residents are heard before any final decision is made.

The Perth Wellington MPP asked Transportation Minister Glen Murray about the matter earlier this week in the Ontario Legislature.

The County of Perth, the City of Stratford, and the townships of Perth East and Perth South jointly requested that the Ministry of Transportation fund a qualified transportation consultant to conduct a peer review.

Murray dismissed the request.

Pettapiece says some of the concerns municipalities have identified include the loss of prime agricultural land, emergency response times, and added costs to local taxpayers.