PEOPLE who use a vital Greenock community hub are benefiting from a 'transformational' new high-speed broadband connection after the intervention of MP Ronnie Cowan.

Until recently community leaders and hub users at the Grieve Road facility had to leave the building just to get a usable signal.

The hub faced months of delays in its bid to have to have high speed broadband installed prior to the SNP MP becoming involved.

Mr Cowan's office stepped in and forged an agreement with Virgin Media to have the job escalated to 'priority' status.

The MP first heard of the problem during a community council meeting at the Grieve Road Hub.

He then spoke to one of the centre's leaders, Veronica Doherty, along with local SNP councillor, John Crowther.

Within weeks of that visit the new connection is up and running.

The MP has just visited to see for himself how the new connection is working.

Technical tests on the new broadband reveal that as well as being classed as 'very fast', the signal will be able to handle multiple tasks such as streaming, video conferencing, gaming and general internet use, boosting the centre's offering.

The MP made fast connection times a priority for Inverclyde when he was first elected in 2015.

In that time the constituency broadband connection times have gone from well below the Scotland and UK average to well above both the Scotland and UK average.

Mr Cowan said: "When I went to Grieve Road for the community council meeting I saw all the excellent work Veronica and the team are doing for the local community.

"But I was dismayed to hear about the broadband situation and how this was holding the centre back in a whole variety of ways.

"I was also very disappointed to hear that they were trying to address this through various channels, but that it had been dogged by delays.

"So it is excellent that I have now seen for myself the really fast connection times at the hub, and the fact that it has such great capacity as well.

"This is as a result of my case workers getting involved and delivering for the community.

"It is also a great reflection on Virgin Media who readily agreed to escalate this case to a priority.

"This was not an easy job. It involved digging a trench for seven metres of cabling and ducting to be installed, plus blockage clearance.

"To get this done in the space of a few weeks is a credit to Virgin Media, and my team.

"Grieve Road Community Hub is a shining example of what a community centre can deliver for local people.

"It serves up hot food, offers warm clothing, and a whole list of activities for pensioners and the wider community in south-west Greenock.

"Some of the leaders and users of the centre told me this will be 'transformational'. So it really is that important."

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Mr Cowan added: "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, or looking for a job."