A north-east community is being left behind as neighbouring towns and villages are welcoming the advent of super-fast broadband.
Alvah and Forglen community council has outlined the problem facing local people gaining access to the internet in a letter to the Scottish Parliament’s rural economy and connectivity (REC) committee.
It says about 300 homes do not have “adequate” digital provision.
There are no plans for a campaign bringing broadband to remote areas across Scotland to be extended to the communities.
To change this, the group has been supported by local MSP Peter Chapman, who last night said it was “important” that no one was left behind.
He said: “Whilst we acknowledge the Scottish Government’s ambitious target of delivering super-fast broadband to 100% of households by 2021, the experience on the ground can be quite different.
“Alvah and Forglen is by no means a remote area, it is close to both Banff and Turriff and just 50 miles from Aberdeen. The residents have worked very hard to engage with government agencies on this issue and organised well-attended public meetings.
“You have to ask how many other rural communities are facing the same problem.
“The Scottish Government has to ensure that no community is left behind. This is vital not just for households accessing the internet, but for children’s education, for businesses to function and for agriculture to flourish – so much of our lives depend on digital infrastructure these days.”
About 1,000 people live in Alvah and Forglen.
In its submission to the REC committee, community council chairwoman Christina Roebuck said she is “extremely concerned that its area will not have adequate digital infrastructure to take part fully in the modern age”.
She added: “AFCC believes that for the area to develop, fast and affordable broadband is essential for businesses, households and education.
“Alvah and Forglen has fallen well behind the rest of the country in the provision of adequate, let alone fast broadband.”
