West Yorks fibre broadband project set to receive green light

A major project to roll out fibre optic broadband across West Yorkshire is set to be given the green light.

Known as the West Yorkshire Local Broadband Project, the scheme is designed to bring superfast speeds to rural communities that would otherwise have to make do without the technology, reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.

The programme will be funded by Leeds, Wakefield, Bradford and Calderdale councils, each of which is investing £1 million, along with a combined £15 million from the government, the EU and BT, which has been chosen to carry out the deployment.

Keith Wakefield, Leader of Leeds City Council, said he is "delighted" the scheme is now at a stage where it should soon receive the permission it needs to go ahead.

"It is of great economic importance, in that it will increase network coverage and speed and so encourage growth, new business and other inward investment," he explained.