Rural west to get faster broadband

THOUSANDS of people living in and around South Queensferry and Kirkliston will get faster broadband speeds thanks to UK Government funding to make Edinburgh a “super-connected city”.

A £10.7 million grant announced yesterday for the city council will create wi-fi zones in the centre of the Capital, but will also help upgrade connections to more rural areas.

Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MP Mike Crockart, who has been campaigning for better broadband for communities on the edge of city, said he was delighted.

He said: “This is great news for the Capital, but it is particularly good news for my constituents who live in the rural parts of Edinburgh West.

“By 2014/15 residents and businesses in Kirkliston, Ratho, Ratho Station, Dalmeny and South Queensferry will see real improvements to their service and will, finally, have broadband fit for the 21st century.

“In spite of the fact that the Scottish Government has £280 million available to use on digital infrastructure it has refused to allocate any funding to upgrades in the Capital.”