Third of English councils are set to go with broadband
Good progress is being made by most聽local authorities developing plans to roll out superfast broadband says Ed Vaizey.
Four more areas had their Local Broadband Plans approved,聽meaning聽15 of the 47 projects are now ready to begin taking superfast broadband to homes and businesses in their area.
The latest areas to have their聽plans approved are:
- Kent and Medway Councils
- Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin
- Lincolnshire
- Hampshire, City of Portsmouth, City of Southampton
鈥淚 have been impressed by the enthusiasm the majority of councils have shown for seizing the opportunity to roll-out superfast broadband,鈥� said Communications Minister聽. 鈥淚 am disappointed that a few councils seem to have slipped behind and I will be seeking urgent talks with these councils to ensure they understand the need to make real progress quickly.聽We do not intend to continue to fund councils if they continue to fail to deliver.鈥�
Explore the to see the progress of plans for your area.
Extra funding
Mr Vaizey also announced today that the Government has unlocked potential European funding of around 拢100million which local authorities can apply for to help fund their broadband plans. That comes on top of the 拢630million (made up of and )聽currently being invested by the Government to ensure the UK has the best broadband network in Europe by 2015.
Government has also produced new guidance for broadband projects applying for funding from the European Regional Development Fund.
Further information
- of Local Broadband Plans by region
- Table of Local Broadband Plans by region ()
- (December 2011)