Lincolnshire association calls for better broadband in 2014

A business association in Lincolnshire has claimed that improved broadband access should be a priority in 2014.

The Lincolnshire arm of the County Land and Business Association (CLA) claimed that in the modern world, access to superfast connectivity is a basic need for most.

Chairman Roger Douglas told the Boston Standard: "Broadband is as vital as water, electricity and gas and should be looked on as the fourth utility."

He claimed the current provision of connectivity is putting some businesses in the region at a disadvantage.

Mr Douglas declared himself "very concerned" that despite a nationwide investment of £2.5 billion through the government's Broadband Delivery UK project, many rural spots will still be without a next-generation service beyond 2015.

The government hopes to connect 99 per cent of properties in the UK to superfast broadband by 2018, however the CLA has vowed to pressure the coalition to do more for rural areas in the short term.