Telford fastest for broadband speeds

A new study conducted by the comparison site uSwitch.com has revealed that Telford is set to become the first urban area where average broadband speeds pass the Government's superfast threshold of 24 megabits per second.

People in the borough currently enjoy an average of 23mbps but this is expected to rise to 26 next month, according to the latest figures.

Telford's broadband speeds gained national publicity last year when it was revealed that Willowfield in Woodside is the street with the fastest broadband in the UK.

Residents on the street can reach up to 71Mbps – which means a music album can be downloaded in 11 seconds and a two-hour film in two minutes 49 seconds.

Councillor Bill McClements, cabinet member for finance and enterprise, said: "This is independent research and demonstrates what we have been saying – that Telford is a fantastic place to live, work and base your business.

"The reason we have such fast speeds is because of the high quality and extensive broadband infrastructure that was installed in the borough of Telford and Wrekin by companies like Virgin previously Telewest.

"Telford & Wrekin Council is investing £250m in the Southwater area of the town centre and Telford Shopping Centre is also poised to spend £200m on an extensive redevelopment.

"This combined with thousands of new homes being built will encourage inward investment enabling all parties to take advantage of this super fast broadband."

The news comes in the same week as the first rural towns and villages to get superfast broadband under the Connecting Shropshire project were announced.

Albrighton, near Bridgnorth has been named as one of the first to benefit from the £24.6 million scheme, while most are in the Shrewsbury area, with about 6,000 homes and businesses in Montford Bridge, Montford, Bicton, Ford, Shrawardine, Pontesbury and Minsterley, as well as businesses in Harlescott, selected for the first phase of the roll-out.

BT is also upgrading broadband speeds in other areas of the county, with Oakengates and Bridgnorth the next two towns on their list while work is already under way in Market Drayton.