Plans to get the whole of the northern Lincolnshire area onto broadband are about to take a major step forward. The plans include 90 per cent of the northern Lincolnshire area being on superfast broadband.
A consultation exercise over the last six months has seen nearly 5000 residents and 500 businesses complete the survey. The survey will enable the project to prioritise the areas of most need across North and North East Lincolnshire.
The council secured £2.6m under the Government's BDUK (Broadband Delivery UK) rural broadband programme to develop the project on behalf of North and North East Lincolnshire Council. Together with match funding, this brings the total investment locally to over £5m.
Cllr Neil Poole, cabinet member for Policy & Resources at North Lincolnshire Council said, “We want North Lincolnshire to be the destination of choice for business. It’s absolutely vital that we have infrastructure that can enable that to happen.
“For too long Northern Lincolnshire has suffered from a lack of investment in this type of technology. It’s long been our stated aim to correct that.
“We never rest on our laurels though. I’m pleased to announce a further development. We have just received the green light to progress a £3.8m bid for European Funding. The additional money will be used specifically to help small to medium sized businesses access broadband. We’re not there yet but the indications are positive.
“A strong vibrant North Lincolnshire can only happen if we support the conditions to enable our businesses to grow and invest and that’s exactly what we are delivering on.”
A total of 4618 residents and 456 businesses have completed the survey.
The target is for 5000 residents and 500 businesses.
There is a further chance to learn about the project and complete the survey at the following locations:
Scunthorpe Museum on Saturday 21 July
Water’s Edge in Barton on Sunday 22 July
Scunthorpe United family open day on 29 July
The survey can be accessed on line
http://www.northernlincsbroadband.info/business
http://www.northernlincsbroadband.info/residents
For media enquiries please contact:
Chis Skinner, Head of Communications
Tel: 01724 296301, Mobile: 07717586301
Email: chris.skinner@northlincs.gov.uk
