Multi-million pound broadband award for Worcestershire

Faster broadband is set to boost Worcestershire businesses thanks to a £3.35 million award.

The funds from Broadband Delivery UK are in response to the successful submission of Worcestershire’s Local Broadband Plan, ‘Connecting Worcestershire’.

The plan aims for ‘faster broadband for all by 2015’ and recognises that access to faster broadband is vital to ensure companies are able to remain competitive and grow their businesses.

It includes targets for 90 per cent of Worcestershire's businesses and residents to have access to superfast broadband of 30mbps, with everyone receiving at least 2mbps.

The £3.35million is addition to the £8.5million that has already been pledged as the ‘indicative local authority allocation’, with significant further funding anticipated from private industry.

Negotiations with suppliers are expected to begin later this year.

A range of local solutions will also begin to be put in place this summer, as an additional £700k of grant funding was made available earlier this year for communities identified as receiving a slower speed than 2mbps. Up to 14 of Worcestershire’s rural communities that submitted expressions of interest will receive funds.

"This is a great day for Worcestershire,” said Councillor Adrian Hardman, Leader of Worcestershire County Council (pictured). "This funding will help us to further support the local economy as slower broadband speeds restrict the ability for businesses to operate. We are committed to ensuring Worcestershire is open for business and faster broadband will support local businesses and add to the county's attractiveness for businesses looking to relocate.”

Councillor Hardman added, "I am pleased for our businesses and residents that our submission for this vital funding has been successful and we will now work to put our plans into action as quickly as possible.”

"We already have ambitious targets for 2015,” added Councillor David Thain, "But we will be working to put these in place as soon as possible and to increase speeds as much as we can with the funding available. We will continue our dialogue with suppliers to encourage private sector investment and so I would urge everyone in the county to show support to help us to make faster broadband for Worcestershire a reality.”

Businesses can find out more, and show support for faster broadband for Worcestershire, by visiting www.worcestershire.gov.uk/broadband or by scanning the QR code below...