Boost for rural broadband welcomed

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed news that Leicestershire is to benefit from nearly £4million to ensure rural areas get access to superfast broadband by 2015

It's part of a government plan to roll out superfast broadband into rural parts of Britain, with the aim that by 2015 90% of people who currently have slow internet access will get access to superfast broadband

In February of this year Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council passed a motion urging the government to do more to ensure that rural areas get better access to the internet.

The author of the motion, Liberal Democrat spokesman on Rural Affairs, Cllr Bill Crooks, has welcomed the news.

Cllr Bill Crooks said "People in many villages in Hinckley and Bosworth will benefit from these plans

"Many people in local villages have told me how slow internet access is in their area. It's a particular hindrance for people who are running businesses in rural areas. They are put at a real disadvantage by being denied quick access to the interne

"Faster internet will benefit rural businesses, and also people looking for work, and young people doing their studies

"I'm glad the government has listened to the concerns of people in rural communities in Hinckley and Bosworth and, more widely across the East Midlands, and made getting better broadband access a priority."