Broadband partnership for Shropshire is agreed
Faster broadband could be on its way to more areas of Shropshire after a new partnership between campaigners and council leaders was officially agreed.
Shropshire Council will work with the Shropshire and Marches Campaign for Better Broadband in an attempt to find the match-funding that will allow the county to access up to £11.38 million of Government funding.
The Superfast Extension Programme (SEP) money is available on the condition that councils obtain match funding.
The partnership has been established following last week's full council, in which the issue of the money was raised by Patrick Cosgrove, chairman of the campaign group. The aim of the partnership is to find funding so Shropshire Council can make sure it can match fund the £11.38 million made available.
Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member responsible for broadband, said: "The SEP money will allow us to reach more people in the most rural areas of Shropshire and Broadband is a priority for this council.
"We've seen the struggles rural areas can have with their internet connection and this partnership will help us unlock the potential of this fund."
Mr Cosgrove said: "Experience elsewhere has shown that the involvement of residents can deliver high speed broadband very effectively."