THE latest stage of the introduction of fibre optic broadband across Worcestershire is to go ahead nine months earlier than originally planned.

More than 40,000 homes and businesses in the county currently have access to the service and this number is expected to hit 60,000 by next June.

Although this marks the end of the first phase of the Superfast Worcestershire project – a partnership between Worcestershire County Council, BT and central government – it has now been announced the second stage has been brought forward by nine months.

This means a further 8,000 homes and businesses will be given access to the faster broadband service next summer and in autumn 2017.

The announcement was welcomed by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin during a visit to Kempsey, near Worcester, where 1,500 residents are currently able to access the service, with more cabinets to be installed in the coming months.

“It is good to see Superfast Worcestershire extending the reach of fibre connections to more and more communities,” she said.

“I expect that Kempsey residents and businesses will welcome the arrival of superfast connectivity and I encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this service.

“This will allow the county to re-invest in connecting more and more cabinets.

"At a national level the government has set out an ambition to have every home in the county connected to a superfast connection in the next five years.

“I will continue to campaign until every home and business gets access to this vital service."

The county council’s cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure Cllr Simon Geraghty described the announcement as “great news”.

“Being able to deliver this programme a full nine months ahead of schedule means more homes and businesses will be able to access improved broadband speeds more quickly,” he said.

“We will also have early opportunity to release funds and reinvestment to extend coverage even further.

“It's great to see the difference faster broadband speeds can make to a local community like Kempsey.”

Worcestershire County Council is contributing up to £8.5 million to the Superfast Worcestershire project, with £8.9 million paid by BT and £4.5 million by central government funding.

The second stage of the project is expected to mean 95 per cent of homes and businesses in the county will have access to the service. The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and central government are both contributing £2.39 million along with a further £1.42 million from BT.

For information on if fibre optic broadband is available in your area or when it is due to be introduced visit superfastworcestershire.com.