Clowne and Whitwell: Broadband boost for thousands

The Government has earmarked £2.19 million for Derbyshire if the county council can match that figure with their own investment.

The funding is part of a £27.67 million project - Digital Derbyshire - which aims to bring superfast broadband to 95 per cent of homes by 2016.

Coun Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council’s cabinet member for jobs, economoy and transport said: “Derbyshire is a beautiful place to live and work but its rural nature has meant many areas have been left behind when commercial operators have rolled out broadband services.”

“We are looking at external funding sources and working hard to find the extra £2.19 million needed to secure the Government funding.”

“The Digital Derbyshire programme will make a real difference to the lives of residents and businesses .”

“This new Government funding would allow us to do even more by 2016.”

The county council said if the extra money can be found it will go towards extending the coverage and taking speeds above 24mbps.

A formal expression of interest has been submitted to the Government and work to raise the cash has already started.