Gideon Amos fights for better broadband in local villages

The MP for Taunton and Wellington raised serious broadband issues in villages across his constituency in Parliament yesterday (Monday).

Gideon Amos received an assurance that a Ministerial meeting would take place to discuss the problem.

He told the House: “In the parishes of Ruishton, West Hatch, Staple Fitzpaine and Neroche, the term ‘Connecting Devon and Somerset’ is clearly understood as exactly what is not happening in the two counties, rather than a description of the so-called delivery agency.

“Cabinets and trunk cables are in place, but there is still no sign of houses being connected.

“Will the Minister or the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms … meet MPs for the affected areas to understand how those houses can finally be connected?”

In reply, the Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said: “I am grateful for the question, although I was sorry to hear it.

“Those are contracts from the previous superfast broadband programme, which has been superseded by Project Gigabit.

“That means that Connecting Devon and Somerset is responsible for the management and oversight of the contracts, which are jointly funded by central Government and local authorities.

“The communities in discussion deserve a high-quality service, so I or the Minister for Telecoms will meet the Honourable Member.”