Somerset County Council is urging Somerset residents and businesses to get behind their bid to win vital Government funding for superfast broadband...

Somerset County Council is urging Somerset residents and businesses to get behind their bid to win vital Government funding for superfast broadband.

The Council is jointly bidding with Devon County Council for millions from the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) agency’s �530m pot to roll out superfast broadband across both counties.

A critical part of the bid is demonstrating the need for improved connectivity. Residents, businesses and community groups are therefore being asked to complete a short survey at www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk to register their demand for superfast broadband and share Internet issues they face.

Completing this survey will provide substantial support to the application. Businesses and community groups are also encouraged to provide a letter of support, which can be emailed to somerseteconomicdevelopment@somerset.gov.uk

Every entry counts and there are only a few days in which to take part as the bid needs to be submitted before Monday 18 April.

Leader of Somerset County Council, Cllr Ken Maddock, said: “It’s incredibly important that the people of Somerset get behind us on this. This bid is crucial for the future growth of Somerset’s economy. We know from talking to businesses that a slow or lack of Internet is a real constraint on their growth and is a key barrier for companies deciding to invest in Somerset. Superfast broadband will ensure all businesses, urban or rural, remain competitive and it will open up new markets for them.

“It will also be good news for residents. Superfast broadband will mean you could download from the Internet at least 30 times quicker and could change the way we all access services or work. People will be able to work more from home which will make a real difference to reducing commuting and help the environment.”

If successful the bid will bring a superfast service to both counties exceeding 20MB/s to 85 per cent of businesses and homes, with significant increased speeds to all premises by 2015.

To request a paper copy of the survey or for more information about the project, please contact 01823 355867 or email somerseteconomicdevelopment@somerset.gov.uk. Alternatively, click on www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk.