Two north-east politicians have backed a local crowdfunding campaign to secure broadband coverage for a community in Aberdeenshire.

Scottish Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Andrew Bowie, and MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, are both supporting the local effort to improve service in Monymusk.
Both have been very active in working to help people living in rural parts of each constituency with improvements to digital infrastructure. The politicians have taken up local issues with BT, Digital Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Residents in Clyans Wood, Monymusk, have launched the crowdfunding appeal to get fibre broadband installed after BT confirmed it would not be covered in the national roll-out.

Andrew Bowie, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said:

"I know that poor broadband connectivity is one of the biggest issues facing many people in my West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine constituency.

"Since I was elected in June, I have made it a top priority to secure improvements to the level of service and have held meetings with the Minister for Digital Matt Hancock to that end.

"Unfortunately, north of the border, the SNP government is responsible for the roll-out of superfast broadband and has fallen behind other parts of the UK.

"People in areas like Monymusk should not have to resort to raising their own funds, but I am 100% behind their effort.”

Alexander Burnett, Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, said:

"Organisers of this community campaign deserve credit for taking the bull by the horns to address the lack of fibre broadband in Monymusk.

"It is unfortunate that residents are not going to be covered by BT, and I would give my full support to this crowdfunding effort.

"I have been working since I was elected last year to try and improve broadband connectivity in rural parts of Aberdeenshire West that have simply been left behind in the national roll-out."