North Ayrshire MP Katy Clark has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, requesting she take steps to improve the quality of digital television and radio services covering the Largs area.

The local MP acted after being contacted by a number of constituents highlighting the poor quality digital radio signal in the area and the fact that Freeview customers in Largs receive fewer television channels than the majority of households the UK.

Katy Clark said “The DAB radio signal in Largs at the present time is completely unacceptable. I have been contacted by constituents who have purchased brand new digital radios only to find they are completely useless when they try to use them at home. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. Last year I wrote to Ofcom to complain about digital radio coverage in Largs and was informed that there are plans to roll out DAB coverage so that by 2016 it covers roughly the same area as FM radio. I have therefore asked the Culture Secretary if she will ensure that the Largs area is included in any roll out.” “Unfortunately there are no plans currently to expand the number of Freeview television channels Largs and Millport viewers receive. Most viewers in the area receive their signal through relay transmitters rather than the primary transmitters which cover the vast majority of the UK. I appreciate that in the run-up to digital switchover a decision was taken to ensure that all households could receive the public service channels by the switchover date. This was a sensible decision at the time but long term it cannot be fair that Largs and Millport viewers pay the same licence fee as the rest of the UK but receive up to 70 fewer Freeview channels. I am therefore calling on the Government to take steps to roll out the remaining channels to all those who receive their Freeview channel from a relay transmitter.”