Residents and businesses based in the market town of Penistone have been left frustrated by their lack of an adequate internet connection - an issue that is particularly prevalent in the more rural parts of the area.

The Digital Region rollout project was launched to deliver superfast broadband to 80 per cent of the surrounding county, but Penistone was not included in its coverage plans, local publication the Star reports.

However, the initiative was largely unsuccessful and is to be switched off, meaning broadband does not look set to come to the community any time soon.

Conservative Councillor for Penistone Robert Barnard commented: "It's been a disaster. It's let down the residents who are desperate for it. Some people don't have any broadband, in other villages they only have 1.5Mbps."

He added gaining access to better broadband is frequently an agenda item at parish council meetings, especially as local farmers need to get online to fill out forms and a high number of people work from home in the county.

Despite this, a spokesman from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed many parts of South Yorkshire are not eligible for help in delivering the superfast technology from the Rural Broadband Development Fund.

Add a comment

Comment

Your name

Your e-mail address

Comments (0)