Local MP David Mundell has expressed disappointment that his constituency will not be a priority in a plan to tackle UK rural mobile black spots. The government has just published details of its plan to provide mobile coverage to 60,000 homes and businesses currently in black spots before the end of 2015. North East Scotland and Cumbria will be amongst the first areas to receive investment, while Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders will be amongst the last black spot areas to be tackled.
A total of £150m has been set aside for the Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP), which was first announced in October 2011.The money will be used to buy the right to erect masts on various properties and to pay for the infrastructure itself. The equipment will then be used by country's network operators, Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three.
Mr Mundell commented: "Whilst I absolutely support this work being carried out, I am disappointed that my constituency, which is in great need of improved coverage, will have to wait so long. The issue of mobile signal is frequently raised by constituents of mine, and the recent blackout in Innerleithen demonstrated the need for investment in order to improve coverage in our region.
“Given its importance to modern life, it is vital that those living and working within my constituency have access to mobile signal. People living in our area deserve the same quality of coverage as anyone else, and while I welcome this latest plan, more needs to be done to connect our rural communities. I will continue to campaign for improvements to services throughout Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale".