Poor broadband connections in Highland Perthshire could leave locals without easy access to banking facilities, say critics.
Royal Bank of Scotland is urging customers to use online banking and mobile banks as part of its plan to close several branches across the region.
However the internet speed in many of the rural areas targeted in the programme is notoriously poor, with some households receiving less than 1mb.
Locals in Aberfeldy, where a major protest against the proposals was held last week, are now complaining that the move will leave them without regular access to banking facilities.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said: “We live nine miles from Aberfeldy but within this radius you have quite a few small villages all using this bank.
“If it closes we will lose the cash machine as well. This will only leave the one outside the Co-op which runs out of cash regularly.
“It has been spoken about internet banking but Aberfeldy is one of the worst areas for internet.
“As for visiting a branch, people have been told to go to Blairgowrie – 39 miles each way – or Perth, which is 41 miles each way.
“I don’t think that a bank that belongs to the people should treat the people like this.”
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser, who attended the protest at the closure of the town’s branch, urged bank bosses to reconsider.
He said: “This means that there will be no RBS banking provision in Highland Perthshire with customers facing the prospect of long return journeys to either Blairgowrie or Perth to access their nearest banking services.
“This has consequences for small businesses that regularly cash takings, and people without access to reliable internet connections and I have asked RBS what efforts they are making to help these two types of customer.
“Ultimately, RBS must listen to their customer concerns. Removing a physical banking presence in Highland Perthshire is far from ideal and I would encourage banking officials to reconsider the closures in both towns.”
A spokesman for RBS said: “We are committed to supporting customers for whom access to the digital world is not yet as comfortable or accessible.
“That is why we have put in place options such as mobile branches, community bankers, and we provide access to services through the 1,400 Post Offices in Scotland.”
Conservative MP for Ochil and South Perthshire Luke Graham is also opposing the closures. He has launched a petition against the move and will host a signing session at Kinross on January 20 and Comrie on January 27. The branches in the two towns are also threatened with closure, along with 60 more north of the border.
Branches in Pitlochry, Dunblane, Montrose, Perth’s South Street and Dundee’s Stobswell are also on the hit list.
