Northumberland fibre broadband bid launched

Northumberland authorities have submitted a bid for £500,000 to implement new fibre broadband technology in the Rothbury and Coquetdale areas.

Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park and Grey Sky Consulting have applied for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs funding to help meet demand for super-fast connections in the area.

Interest in fibre broadband services was demonstrated when Coquetdale county councillor Steven Bridgett called on residents to register their interest in the technology as part of BT's Race to Infinity project in late 2010, reports the Northumberland Gazette.

Though the area was unsuccessful in this bid, it still ranked first among all north-east participants.

Should the new bid succeed, fibre optic cable from Morpeth would be extended to the Rothbury exchange.

Mr Bridgett said: "Superfast broadband is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity for many of our businesses and residents and I will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we are not left behind."

The Northumberland area has been allocated a provisional total of £7 million to implement super-fast broadband across the entire area, as part of the government's efforts to improve UK connections.