Concerns over broadband connectivity in Aberdeenshire raised by MP
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A MP says broadband issues are being hardest felt in Aberdeenshire after new figures revealed no households across the Banffshire and Buchan Coast have been connected to superfast internet through the Scottish Government’s R100 scheme.
New statistics from the Scottish Government show just 6897 out of the proposed 60,764 properties in the north and north-east regions have been hooked up to faster internet through the scheme since the SNP announced the R100 plans in 2017.
Across the Banffshire and Buchan Coast, superfast broadband (over 30Mbps) access stands at around 85 per cent compared to 95 per cent for the whole of Scotland but despite this, no homes in the area have benefited from the programme.
Those not covered by the R100 scheme can apply for a one-off voucher of £5000 to help them set up a permanent superfast connection themselves but only 129 applications have been made across the Banffshire and Buchan Coast.
In Aberdeenshire East, just 696 homes have benefited from the R100 programme and only 205 have applied for the voucher.
In Aberdeenshire West, just 595 properties have had their speeds increased while 256 have received vouchers.
Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid, who recently met with Openreach and has been campaigning for better broadband in rural areas, said: “R100 was originally promised to deliver 100 per cent superfast broadband by 2021 but this has woefully been delayed until 2028.
“Residents living in communities within the North Lot will rightly be appalled by these shocking figures which illustrate the woeful rollout of the R100 scheme.
“The SNP Government has failed miserably to deliver on their promise to provide superfast broadband and this is being hardest felt by individuals and businesses in my constituency of Banff and Buchan.
“It beggars belief that six years on from when the R100 scheme was first announced by the Scottish Government, not one home across the Banffshire and Buchan Coast has been connected through this delay-riddled programme.”
Mr Duguid believes rural communities including Alvah, Forglen, Gardenstown, New Deer, Cumminstown and Maud are all feeling the brunt of the failed delivery of the R100 scheme.
He added: “Superfast broadband connectivity is absolutely crucial for our rural economy but this snail’s pace level of progress means our communities are in real danger of being left behind.
“It’s scandalous that almost 54,000 homes in the North Lot are still waiting to be connected out of the 61,000 earmarked for delivery and this must urgently be addressed to prevent further disruption for communities.
“SNP ministers need to take responsibility over their broadband rollout rather than continuing to deflect away from their failures, which has left the programme years behind schedule in places such as Aberdeenshire.”
