Digital boost vital for future of Telford, says MP Lucy Allan
Developing digital technology in Telford over the coming years will be vital to help businesses thrive, says MP Lucy Allan.
Ms Allan, MP for Telford, said she will continue to press for more funding for the area, while officials at Telford & Wrekin Council have said work on improvements is under way.
It comes after a report released earlier this week said Telford could see a £19.4 million economic boost if it only had better digital infrastructure.
The report said as few as six towns in the Midlands, including Telford, could inject an additional £351 million into the region's economy by 2020, with the potential to kick-start the Chancellor's proposed Midlands Engine, if they followed the recommendations in the report to ensure digital communications infrastructure was upgraded.
Ms Allan said: "I'm determined to see Telford's digital links boosted and I have campaigned on this for the past few years.
"Better broadband and digital infrastructure is good for Telford businesses, homes and jobs and is vital to Telford's future growth.
"The O2 report supports my view that investment in Telford would provide substantial economic benefits and should be a priority.
"I will continue to press ministers to direct funding to improve Telford's digital infrastructure and increase broadband speeds."
Councillor Kuldip Sahota, leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said the council's Enterprise Telford strategy recognised that digital optimisation is essential for business growth, and to increase productivity and attract higher skills sector workers.
He said: "The digital sector in Telford has a strong foundation with the e-innovation centre at Telford Innovation Campus. The centre provides specialist office accommodation for 40 businesses using digital tech.
"We recognise the opportunities for this sector for Telford and are looking at ways to develop a strong cluster for ICT/digital.
"This includes how our growth hub at Priorslee campus could partner with the national Digital Catapult centre which is looking at expanding to outposts across the UK."
Councillor Shaun Davies, the authority's cabinet member for business, said: "We are seeking European funding to deliver a three-year digital optimisation programme through the Growth Hub.
"The first phase of the council's superfast broadband programme is currently being rolled out – through this £4 million investment the provision of fibre to the cabinet will open the potential for less expensive and faster wi-fi access.
"Telford is also home to UK Trade and Investment's ICT and digital dealmaker Tim Luft, who runs Woote and is based at Hadley Park. Tim is promoting Telford and the region internationally, as a destination for investment in this sector, and is also one of the Telford Business Board's sector champion for digital technologies," he said.
