Lewis communities to get improved broadband connections

Openreach said Lewis communities should expect to see more activity in coming weeks

Communications company Openreach says it is working towards connecting the Back, Garrabost and Timsgarry areas of Lewis to full fibre broadband.

The work is being carried out under the UK government's Project Gigabit and Scottish government's R100 programmes.

Western Isles local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has processed almost 30 planning notifications related to infrastructure needed for the Lewis communities.

Robert Thorburn, Openreach's partnership director for Scotland, said: "We're bringing faster, more reliable broadband to more properties on Lewis and letting local people know what to expect."

Mr Thorburn added: "This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment, and vans around, and we're working hard to keep disruption to a minimum.

"Wherever possible, we'll use our existing network of ducts and poles to avoid roadworks, new street furniture, and disturbance.

"But there may be places where we need to install new poles, underground ducts, and fibre cables."

Reporting by local democracy journalist Peter Urpeth.