MP CALLS ON OFCOM TO ALLOW MORE DIGITAL RADIO STATIONS IN THE BORDERS

3.11.20pm GMT Wed 6th Feb 2008

Borders MP Michael Moore has called on the communications regulator Ofcom to allow more DAB digital radio stations to be broadcast in the Borders.

Currently, eight commercial stations and a range of BBC stations, including national stations such as BBC1 to BBC 5 and the BBC World Service, are being transmitted from the radio mast at Selkirk, reaching 40,000 people living in central and western parts of the Borders. However, BBC Radio Scotland, which is listened to by huge numbers of local people, is not broadcast in the digital format.

Mr Moore has been contacted by quite a few local people who are frustrated at not being able to listen to the local BBC news bulletins on their digital radio. Having taken up the issue with the BBC, he has now learnt that, until a local multiplex is added to the Selkirk transmitter, the BBC are not able to start transmitting BBC Radio Scotland in the Borders.

Mr Moore has also learned that Ofcom, who are responsible for the multiplex licences, have no plans to make such a licence available in the Borders for at least the next thirteen months. He has now written to Ofcom to urge them to re-think. In his letter to Ed Richards, the Chief Executive of Ofcom, Mr Moore said:

"A large number of my constituents regularly listen to BBC Radio Scotland, as it offers local, as well as national, news, weather updates and traffic information for the area. I have received many letters, telephone calls and emails from constituents who are deeply frustrated at being unable to listen to the station in the digital format. Listeners who have purchased DAB digital radio sets have to switch to their old analogue ones when they wish to hear local BBC news and updates.

"I was disappointed to read that the planned timetable for new radio multiplex licences does not include the Borders. I urge you to reconsider this decision."

As well as campaigning for more radio stations to be made available digitally, Mr Moore has been pressing for DAB digital radio coverage to be extended to include the eastern Borders. He hopes that the BBC will expedite the process so that the whole of the Borders can receive the service before digital television switchover takes place later this year.