Published: Monday, 8th February, 2010 12:21pm

Rankinston Broadband Campaign goes to Holyrood

Lisa and Duncan with Cathy Jamieson MSP in her Holyrood office.

Local MSP Cathy Jamieson welcomed Lisa and Duncan Ross from Rankinston to the Scottish Parliament last week, to hear a debate on Broadband. In her speech in the debate, Cathy highlighted the work done by Lisa and Duncan as part of the initiative by Rankinston Community Association to give Broadband access to everyone in the village.

Speaking after the debate, Cathy said: "Lisa and Duncan were able to see how local issues can be raised in Parliament. They watched the debate from the Public Gallery, and heard the Minister make reference to them in response to my speech. During the debate, I again raised the problems faced by constituents in rural parts of Ayrshire who cannot get access to broadband, or live in areas where the speeds are so slow as to make it virtually useless. There are now so many areas of life which depend on decent internet access, whether it's for business, education or just to keep in touch with family and friends.

The Rankinston Project aims to give everyone in the village the opportunity to use the internet, and it offers a model that could be used elsewhere. It was good to hear the Minister respond positively, offering contacts for Lisa and Duncan to follow up on the next stage of the Project."

Lisa and Duncan had a face to face conversation with the Minister after the debate, during their whistlestop tour of the Parliament before heading back to Ayrshire. Cathy is encouraging constituents to follow Lisa and Duncan's example and visit the Parliament.

She added: "I am always happy to arrange for constituents to visit and see Parliament in action, as many of the debates have local relevance. If anyone would like to visit, please contact my office and we can make suitable arrangements."