Pathfinder Comes to Campbeltown

Campbeltown will be the next town in Argyll and Bute to benefit from the £70m Pathfinder North network, with work starting to lay the fibre optic cables this week.

Pathfinder North is a partnership of six local authorities which joined forces to find a combined solution to provide broadband across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The project is designed to connect 806 sites such as schools, libraries, social work offices and council headquarters throughout the area.

The project involves the expansion of the existing Thus plc broadband network into Argyll and Bute for the first time and, in conjunction with the sister project, Pathfinder South, will eventually offer national coverage across Scotland. Local businesses and organisations will also be offered the opportunity to buy high speed network links from this network.

The Council’s 21st Century Spokesperson Councillor James Robb said: “This project will provide the necessary network for the council to deliver effective and efficient services in the future. Modern technology such as this offers solutions to many of the problems in providing services and connecting communities across such a large area.

“The roll out of the Pathfinder Project will allow the council to compete for shared services contracts and advance partnership working, boosting our local economies and creating new employment opportunities.”

During the 18 months programme 146 sites across Argyll and Bute will connect to the new network by underground fibre optic cables. These cables are increasingly being used instead of copper cables as they allow for higher speed connections. Fibre optic cabling also offers the most cost effective connection for both the customer and suppler. However, unlike a radio based connection, they require construction work on the roads to lay the cable and carry it from one site to the next.

Disruption to residents and businesses will be kept to a minimum in Campbeltown with the majority of street works being carried out via the footpaths. Each street will receive a letter drop prior to any works commencing.

The following streets will be affected by Pathfinder work:

Bengullion Road; Smith Drive; Ralston Road; Stewart Road; St John Street; Hall Street; Kinloch Road; and Witchburn Road.

Bill Allan, Chief Executive Officer of THUS plc, said, “THUS has an excellent track record in providing next-generation communication services to the public and private sectors across the country. The Pathfinder Project will provide schools, libraries, councils and businesses in more remote communities with access to state of the art communications that will bring social and economic benefits to every citizen in the region.”