Blackout ‘shows how much we need branches’

Dodgy broadband in the most populated part of Tayside and Fife blows a hole in the case for branch closures, it has been argued.

RBS and Bank of Scotland chiefs want customers to do most of their banking online as they prepare to shut more than 100 branches in the country.

But up to 2,000 households in the west of Dundee fell victim to a broadband blackout on Friday, which lasted up to 72 hours.

Michael Marra, the Dundee councillor whose ward has been blighted by internet problems since Friday, said the broadband blackout demonstrates how vital physical banking remains.

“I have been contacted by customers over the last few days who have been left without internet, television and phone services,” Labour’s Lochee representative said.

“These include people who are doing personal banking, but also people who are running businesses and depend on banking services. This shows just how much we need a network of branches in our communities.”

Virgin Media apologised for the problems Dundee residents faced over the long weekend.

As the second most densely populated part of the country, Dundee has some of the best broadband in the country.

Large swathes of Courier Country have such slow speeds it is impossible to bank online, including in areas where branches are being axed.