MUIRKIRK will be able to connect to the information highway at greater speeds by the end of the year.

It has been a long haul but the village will benefit from the latest phase of the £410 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.

Once the work is completed this winter, Muirkirk will be able to access fibre broadband services at speeds of up to 80Mbps.

Local MP Cathy Jamieson has been a long-time campaigner for improved broadband in East Ayrshire. She said: “I am pleased that Muirkirk is finally going to get a Superfast Broadband connection.

“Rural communities need fast broadband connections for businesses to be competitive, and it will also bring benefits for education and leisure. I hope that having the Superfast Broadband connection in Muirkirk will also encourage companies to consider locating in Muirkirk or expanding operations in the area to create jobs.” Local SNP MSP Adam Ingram welcomed the latest phase of the programme, saying: ““This is another important milestone for the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband partnership.

“The scale of the challenge of delivering fibre broadband across Scotland is greater than any other part of the UK and indeed, much of Europe.

“More communities and businesses around the country will soon begin to see the benefits of high quality digital connectivity, making them more economically viable in the long term and I am particularly pleased to see that Muirkirk has been included in this latest round.

“The Scottish Government’s aim is to deliver world class connectivity by 2020, enabling people across Scotland to connect any time, any place, anywhere using any device. I know that many people and businesses across the Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley area will welcome any improvement in accessing fast, reliable broadband.”