1:40pm Monday 8th March 2010
By Mike Pryce
A RURAL watchdog is urging businesses in Herefordshire to make their voice heard against the poor broadband service sometimes experienced within the county.
The Country Land and Business Association is lobbying for better broadband in rural England and Wales and claims the impact limited broadband access and bandwidth is having on Herefordshire is huge.
The association says it results in small businesses not being able to operate because there is insufficient internet access for modern-day business needs.
This, says CLA West Midlands leader Caroline Bedell, leads to a poorer rural economy.
In a bid to improve access and speed and explore local solutions, Herefordshire Council has organised a conference at the Three Counties Hotel in Belmont Road, Hereford, on Thursday, March 18, between 4.30pm and 7pm.
Ms Bedell said: “The CLA urges anyone with an interest in getting better internet access in rural Herefordshire to go along to these talks.
“It’s increasingly vital that this county is not left behind as technology advances. While the Government has launched a universal broadband plan we are still concerned that many areas will be left without adequate broadband speeds, which will affect both businesses and residents in the areas. It is mainly rural areas that are likely to be suffering and the CLA now wants action taken to ensure that this does not happen.”
The conference is aimed at anyone interested in creating and finding solutions to broadband coverage, including community representatives, local businesses, internet service providers, statutory and voluntary sector organisations, parish and county councillors, community and business representatives, and providers of local services such as rural shops, community centres, rural hubs, and doctors’ surgery representatives.
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