Thousands of local homes and businesses are set to benefit from the publicly funded digital network being built to bring world class connectivity to Scotland.

Local MSP Kenneth Gibson said this week that the new subsea cabling forms a vital part of the £410m Digital Scotland ‘Superfast Broadband’ initiative.

When complete it will bring fibre based broadband to many parts of Scotland for the first time.

Cunninghame North SNP member Mr Gibson said: “I am delighted that early routes where subsea cable is being deployed include Largs and Cumbrae.

“The creation of this hugely ambitious land and subsea network is vital in reaching communities which could never have hoped to receive fibre broadband as part of commercial roll-out.

“Its introduction will change how people use technology and access the internet, opening up new ways of living, learning and working.” The cabling forms part of the £146m project being led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). Funding partners include the Scottish Government, HIE, and Broadband Delivery UK, BT, the selected private sector partner rolling out the open access fibre network, is investing £19 million.

Managed by BT, the deep sea work is beiing carried out by cable ship Rene Descartes using its submersible plough and remotely operated vehicles to bury the double armoured cable where seabed sediments allow.

The cable ship will be backed up by dive support vessels, tugs and a shallow water laying vessel. Support vessels carrying out work include the MCS Ailsa and the Coastal Chariot.

Brendan Dick, director, BT Scotland, said: “This is a momentous occasion for BT as we embark on the biggest subsea engineering project BT has undertaken in UK waters. It’s a massive test of engineering ingenuity, so we are keeping everything crossed for stable weather and a fair wind to allow sure and steadfast progress.

“It’s also an exciting time, not only for BT and its partners, and we look forward with anticipation to people in Cumbrae reaping the benefits of their very own network of underwater, fibre optic cables.” Cumbrae has already been linked up to the mainland at Largs, and to the Kyles of Lochalsh as well as stretching towards the highlands and islands.