By Monica Gibson

RESIDENTS at a new housing development in Uplawmoor claim they are living in “the estate that broadband forgot”.

Last month, we told how communities in Barrhead, Giffnock and Uplawmoor are among those to benefit from the £428 million Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme.

However, people living at Mactaggart & Mickel's Mure Park development have said misfortune - and a series of loopholes - has left them in the “Dark Ages” when it comes to getting online.

One resident, who asked not to be named, told the Barrhead News: “I have moved into a modern house in a brand new development but there has been no broadband provision.

“I thought we would be connected to the Uplawmoor exchange but the quirk is that, when the Scottish Government signed off the funding for broadband in 2012, our postcode did not exist, so they did not cater for Mure Park.

“And there is another loophole that we have fallen victim to, as Openreach said they would provide broadband for developments that have 200 houses but we only have 39 houses, so we missed out.

“In 2016, Openreach changed the requirement to only 30 houses but, as our development was already complete, we are not eligible for that either.”

The connection at Mure Park is said to be so poor that even watching a video online is a tricky task.

“Some of the owners had planned to work from home but, in reality, they are having to alternate because you can’t have two people working online at the same time,” said the concerned resident.

“The estate is almost full now and I have noticed the connection slowing down yet further.

“We contacted Mactaggart & Mickel but they don’t install broadband as standard. They worked out it would now cost £25,000 but that is a cost they’re not willing to take on board.

“I can understand their point of view but it puts the onus on us to sort out the problem and cough up the cash.

“We have a good relationship with the developer but the situation isn’t ideal. We’re living in shiny new houses but are cut off when there are 100-year-old houses up the road and they have the superfast connection. It is bizarre to say the least and you can’t help but feel a bit hard done by.”

Craig Ormond, a director of Mactaggart & Mickel, said the company has a strong reputation for customer service.

He added: ​“​The Mure Park development in Uplawmoor village was planned in 2013, when the digital landscape was less developed than it is now.

​“We make no mention of broadband in our customer marketing materials or in the pre-reservation meeting information that every client receives before they make a commitment to reserve one of our new homes.

“This is not included in the specification because we recognise that most customers prefer to make that choice themselves depending on their own requirements. This is the case for all of our developments.

“We understand that some residents are disappointed with their broadband speeds at Mure Park, so we assisted them to identify upgrade options from Openreach.

“It is now for the residents themselves to decide whether they wish to progress with this work.”