A COMMUNITY centre in Greenock has been given a broadband boost.

Grieve Road Community Hub in Greenock could have a new broadband connection as early as the end of this month after Virgin Media agreed to prioritise the request for the work following intervention from MP Ronnie Cowan's office.

It comes after several months of delays over the new broadband connection, prior to the MP becoming involved.

The pledge for the new broadband has been achieved after the SNP MP visited the hub and took part in a community council meeting.

Following correspondence from Mr Cowan's caseworkers Virgin Media has now agreed that the request should now be escalated.

Work due to start this week involves digging a trench for seven metres of cabling and ducting to be installed, plus blockage clearance.

The community centre's leaders told the MP that the lack of adequate connectivity was a disadvantage to them and those who use the hub.

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People were having to stand outside to get an adequate internet signal or make a phone call.

The SNP MP has made improved broadband connectivity one of his main targets across the Inverclyde constituency since being elected in 2015.

In that time, Inverclyde has gone from being below the Scottish average for connectivity speed to now being well above both the Scottish and UK averages.

Mr Cowan said: "I was dismayed to hear at the community council meeting that this issue has rumbled on for a few months.

"What I saw was a brilliant local hub, offering superb services and activities for local people and being fully engaged with the community.

"There is a lot going on at Grieve Road, all of it good.

"The chair of the committee Veronica Doherty and her team serve up food, warm clothing, and a whole list of activities for pensioners and the wider community in south west Greenock.

"My caseworkers have asked the right questions of the right people, and now we are at a stage where we have a priority date for the work to start, and I thank Virgin Media for its commitment.

"When the broadband is up and running, Grieve Road Community Hub will no longer be operating at a disadvantage and I'm sure it will go from strength to strength.

"This is another example of how vital good, fast broadband connectivity is to my constituents.

"It impacts on everything from the ability of small businesses to operate successfully, the efficiency of larger businesses, leisure activities, and of course people working from home.

Local ward councillor John Crowther says the breakthrough is 'excellent news' for the centre.

He added: "We have been bidding for this for some time now and within a couple of weeks of Ronnie's office getting involved, we now have a start date for the work to commence.

"I thank Ronnie and his caseworkers for getting us to this stage.

"The arrival of a good broadband connection will complement and enhance all the great work at the community hub."