By 2017 it is expected that West Lothian will have one of the highest levels of Superfast Broadband coverage in Scotland and the UK.
West Lothian Council agreed a £2.5 million contribution towards the project in 2013, as part of the General Services Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2017/18.
Leader of West Lothian Council John McGinty commented: “We welcome the news that work to bring Superfast broadband to West Lothian will start six months earlier. When work is completed it will ensure that the vast majority of businesses and residents in West Lothian have high speed internet access.
“West Lothian will have a world class digital infrastructure, with one of the best levels of coverage in Scotland and the UK. This is important as we continue to market our area as a great place for businesses to remain competitive, grow and innovate.
“Superfast broadband will support efforts to encourage innovative digital businesses to relocate here and create new jobs. It will also open opportunities for new businesses to blossom, help businesses to cut costs, improve customer service and reduce carbon consumption.”
The timescales for delivery of the project have changed significantly and it is now expected that work, especially in the west of the county, will start six months earlier than planned. The timetable is expected to be:
- July 2015 to December 2015, including premises covered by the following exchanges: Bathgate, Armadale, Harthill, Fauldhouse, Stoneyburn, Kirkliston, West Calder, Philpstoun, Livingston Station, Livingston Bridge, Broxburn, Winchburgh and South Queensferry.
- January 2016 to June 2016, including premises covered by the following exchanges: Mid Calder, Linlithgow, Auchengray and Avonbridge.
- July 2016 to December 2016, including premises covered by Dechmont exchange.
The final phase in early 2017 will be to provide upgraded basic broadband to premises not covered by the Superfast rollout.
These dates are for the commencement of upgrades in each exchange area and it is not guaranteed that every settlement or area covered by an exchange will be upgraded in the first phase of upgrades at each exchange. Some may be upgraded in the subsequent phases listed.
It is anticipated that the areas not covered by the Superfast rollout will primarily be in remote rural areas of West Lothian, although where these areas currently have extremely poor or no Broadband coverage, the rollout should deliver at least an improvement to 2Mbps basic broadband.