New environment minister pledges better broadband for Shropshire and Mid Wales

New environment minister Rory Stewart said better internet connection was one of his main priorities as he takes up his government post.

Mr Stewart said he would take action to help businesses and homeowners who are effectively cut off from the internet.

Shropshire suffers from a two-tier system – with Telford enjoying some of the quickest internet speeds in the UK and outlying areas suffering the worst.

Telford & Wrekin Council recently signed a major deal with BT to deliver 'Superfast Telford', a £5.6 million superfast broadband network to enable access to more than 9,300 residents and businesses.

Meanwhile rural Shropshire is in the bottom 30 areas in the UK for superfast broadband coverage. Latest league tables show Ludlow was among the worst performing areas in the country, with less than half of the population having access to internet speeds over 30mbps. Speeds were even worse in areas like Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire.

The minister today said ensuring all of Shropshire and Mid Wales had access to a fast internet service was a priority and he wanted to see projects in Telford and Shrewsbury extended county-wide..

Mr Stewart, who was appointed under-secretary of state for the environment, food and rural affairs in the post-election reshuffle, said community groups would play a growing role in rural Britain in years to come.

He said: "The Government's priority is to make sure that Shropshire, which is one of the most beautiful rural areas in Britain, retains all the features that make it so special, but we also need to support small businesses and ensure people do not feel isolated.

"Ensuring that everybody has fast broadband connections is very important.

"We need to make sure rural communities have enormous strength. Often people love the area in which they live but are deeply frustrated by the barriers of distance and feel cut off."