Shropshire faster broadband campaign hit by lack of supporters

Shropshire's campaign for faster broadband is in danger of stalling after it was revealed that fewer than 10 people in half of the parishes in the county had added their backing.

In nine parish council areas not a single person has expressed an interest in super-fast internet connection speeds. And in 82 of the 165 areas across Shropshire fewer than 10 people have added their names.

Shropshire Council has now issued a rallying cry for people to support the Connecting Shropshire campaign.

As of May 8 not one person had registered for improved broadband in Tong, Ryton and Grindle, Quatt Malvern, Neenton, Nash, Hopton Castle,

Donnington with Boscobel, Badger and Aston Botterell, Burwarton or Cleobury North.

Shropshire Councillor for Wem, Pauline Dee, said support was needed.

She said: "I think most of the Shropshire Council members are pushing this it would be a shame if we couldn't get sufficient people to register and so encourage the private sector to invest into it.

"It will make such a difference to Shropshire businesses if we could get super-fast broadband.

"I am aware that the broadband speeds are so slow in some parts of the rural areas of Shropshire."

Shrewsbury Town Castle Parish has the highest number of people expressing an interest at 421. Next is Market Drayton with 89 responses.

Wendy Marston, head of business improvement at Shropshire Council, said the more registrations the authority get, the greater the likelihood the private sector would invest significant money into the project.

Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council's cabinet member responsible for ICT, said: "I cannot emphasise enough just how important it is that people take the time to fill in this survey. "

Details at www.connectingshropshire.co.uk