Fibre broadband rollout set to continue in North Tyneside

Around 20,000 more homes in North Shields are scheduled to gain access to fibre optic broadband next year.

It is the final community in the region that will benefit from the improved connections, which are part of a nationwide commercial project worth £2.5 billion.

The agreement has been made between North Tyneside Council and service provider BT, which estimates the new infrastructure will be in place by the end of spring 2014.

Other areas of the north-east also set to benefit from access to superfast connections in the coming months include Jesmond, Boldon, Low Fell and certain locations in Sunderland.

The elected Mayor of North Tyneside Norma Redfearn was delighted by the news, claiming the move would have a positive impact economically, socially and administratively.

She said: "Greater bandwidth helps us build competitive businesses, efficient public services and stronger communities."

Projected figures state 79,000 properties in North Tyneside will have access to fibre optic broadband when the rollout is completed by the end of next spring.