Arran ‘cut off’ after phone engineers pull out wrong plug

The island of Arran was left without phone service after engineers pulled out the wrong plug. Picture: Wiki Commons

The five surgeries on Arran were still without voice and internet communications, after waiting more than 48 hours for the link to be repaired.

And to deepen their plight, much of the area - which has a higher-than-average percentage of elderly residents - struggles to pick up any mobile coverage

A statement on the Arran Medical Group website said: “The main phone line has been out of action since September 8 when BT accidentally disconnected the line required to service the number.

“BT assured us that the line would be re-connected by 6pm on Wednesday, but this hasn’t happened.

“We are trying to escalate this issue through other routes as we realise the impact that this is having on patients making appointments and requesting medication.”

The glitch has blocked out calls into main surgeries at Brodick, Lamlash, Whiting Bay, Shiskine, Corrie and Lochranza.

The AMG statement went on: “We are also unable to make any phone calls out of Lamlash or Whiting Bay, and without mobile phone reception, it has made our work extremely challenging.

“Our team is working hard to work around this significant disruption.”

The usual population of Arran is around 4,500, however at this time of year that number is doubled with late summer holidaymakers.

BT has been contacted for comment.