Help Bedford Accelerate with Faster Broadband- Mayor Dave

Bedford Borough Council has launched a consultation on an exciting project which is set to improve the availability of fast broadband speeds for communities in the Borough. The project will particularly target rural areas where broadband speeds and availability can be very poor.

The project looks set to access over £1million of funding to support the roll out of faster broadband in the Borough. This includes £440,000 from BDUK, the government's broadband delivery arm, and £440,000 of match funding from the Bedford Borough Partnership Board.

In order to access this funding a broadband plan is being prepared to show how faster broadband could happen. Bedford Borough Council is working with Central Bedfordshire Council and Milton Keynes Council on a joint submission.

Local residents and businesses are being asked to register their interest in faster broadband to encourage broadband infrastructure providers to invest.

To shape the plan to best meet the needs of local residents and businesses, the Council is asking for views about how the funding available should be used.

Both of these things can be done on the Council's broadband web page at www.bedford.gov.uk/broadband.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said:

"This project will transform the way many people in the borough are able to access the internet and related broadband services. Many people have spoken to me about difficulties with broadband availability and connection speeds, particularly in our rural communities. While commercial providers may expand capacity over the years to come, our rural households and businesses need improved broadband access as soon as possible. That's why I am very pleased that we are putting together a project that will make a real difference across our communities. The project will involve significant levels of external funding to make over £1 million in total, and our case for obtaining this funding will only be strengthened by a strong response to our consultation. I encourage residents and businesses to register their interest in faster broadband and help shape the future of broadband in the borough."