Herefordshire Council cabinet proposes £6m for broadband

A major investment is being made by one local authority in England in order to boost broadband speeds.

Local residents and businesses in Herefordshire could benefit from superfast connection rates in the future as a result of £6 million being pledged to enhance the county's infrastructure.

Herefordshire Council's cabinet has backed suggestions for the funding to be included in its budget for the next financial year and all councillors will be balloted on the proposal in February, according to the Hereford Times.

It will match existing money allocated to the county to enhance rural services by the government under the Borders Broadband pilot initiative.

"Broadband is the 21st century utility that has the ability to improve many facets of our everyday life and businesses need fast broadband to access global markets and global suppliers," declared Herefordshire broadband champion Councillor Graham Powell.

Leicestershire County Council has also announced it is providing £4 million towards a government-backed scheme to enhance business broadband links in rural parts of the area, potentially benefiting an estimated 19,000 residents and commercial users.