Dundee LibDem Councillor's concerns over digital switchover

6.34.16pm GMT Wed 31st Oct 2007

Dundee LibDem Councillor's concerns over digital switchover

Dundee West End Liberal Democrat Councillor Fraser Macpherson has expressed concern about plans for the digital television switch-over, due to take place in the Dundee and North Scotland region in 2010.

Councillor Macpherson, who is the City Council's Planning & Transport Convener, said that he has spoken with many constituents who are unsure about the arrangements and are concerned about future of their television services.

"Although there is some initial TV advertising by Digital UK it is not at all detailed and doesn't answer many of the basic questions people are asking about how they should prepare for the loss of analogue signals. The information thus far is patchy and confusing for elderly people in particular," said Cllr Macpherson.

Councillor Macpherson said the fact that many of his constituents in the West End and others in parts of the southern end of Dundee and the Charleston area had been denied digital terrestrial services in advance of the analogue switch off because the Tay Bridge and Camperdown television relay transmitters are not carrying Freeview services as yet, has not helped in terms of public awareness locally about digital terrestrial television.

"The method of rolling-out digital terrestrial television has been unfair with some people already getting these services but many of my constituents in Dundee's West End being denied them until 2010," continued Cllr Macpherson. "I think Digital UK has some way to go in terms of public awareness of the switch-over, especially in relation to the elderly and for people with special needs. I understand there will be a Support Scheme to provide equipment to convert one TV set, and help with its installation and follow-up support, to people aged 75 years and over and people with disabilities, but frankly it needs proper publicity."

"Digital UK has much detail of the switch-over arrangements on its website, but not everyone has internet access. Additionally, one of my constituents in the West End who used the 'postcode checker' to find out about the digital arrangements in our local area, was advised by the website that his local transmitter - Tay Bridge - is in the STV Central region. It is actually in the STV North region and the same error appears on that website in relation to the main STV North Transmitter for the Tayside area, the Angus transmitter."

Councillor Macpherson said he has been in touch with the Department of Culture Media and Sport and the TV regulator Ofcom in the past about the unfair way digital television has been rolled out and he will be keeping a close eye on how the digital switch-over progresses, with parts of the Scottish Borders being transferred first, in a year's time.

Related Link:

Advice about digital TV.