Question reference: S5W-36134
- Asked by: Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney Islands, Scottish Liberal Democrats
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 24 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government further to the answer to question S5W-34670 by Paul Wheelhouse on 10 February 2021, whether it will provide an update on (a) discussions held to identify premises that can be progressed early in the build programme for the North Lot area and (b) plans to deploy 16 subsea cables to islands, as a result of the contract award.
Answer
As part of our regular dialogue with BT, we explore opportunities to accelerate work, wherever and whenever possible. However, delivery ahead of contractual milestones is ultimately a matter for BT to determine.
16 new subsea cables will connect to 15 Scottish islands including Colonsay, Iona and Lismore in Argyll and Bute, Eigg in the Highlands, Eday, Flotta, Hoy, Rousay, Sanday, Shapinsay and Stronsay in Orkney, and Fair Isle, Unst, Whalsey and Yell in Shetland. There will also be a cable laid between Sanday and Fair Isle. A news release on the deployment of these cables can be found on the Scottish Government website at https://www.gov.scot/news/superfast-broadband-subsea-work-to-start .