Cheltenham MP campaigning for better broadband

MP for Cheltenham Martin Horwood is campaigning for improvements to be made to the town's broadband coverage.

The Gloucestershire Echo reports that Mr Horwood is calling for a special debate in parliament to discuss the issue, in which he would like to see ministers commit to "knocking some heads together" among providers to get them to bring improved fibre broadband to the area.

He explained there has been "very poor communication" between BT, Virgin and the regional rollout programme Fastershire, which has left residents in Charlton Kings, Benhall, Springbank and Up Hatherley with "patchy" internet connections and some with none at all.

Not only does this mean people can't use the web for tasks such as homework and watching online videos, it could also potentially be hampering the performance and progress of local businesses.

Fastershire aims to deliver superfast fibre optic broadband to 90 per cent of premises in Gloucestershire by the end of next year, but Mr Horwood has said that unless changes are made, rollout targets may not necessarily be met.