Complex sentence: Because of its status as one of the busiest routes between England and Scotland, the A74 drew regular criticism over its safety and accident record, though MPs were keen to stress that the rate of accidents was no different to any other road of comparable traffic size.
Split into simpler sentences: Because of its status as one of the busiest routes between England and Scotland, the A74 drew regular criticism over its perceived lack of safety. MPs, however, were keen to stress that the rate of accidents was no different to any other road of comparable traffic size.