A MAJOR step forward has been taken in a flagship broadband project in Pembrokeshire that aims to transform the digital landscape in the county.

The first two pilot project communities in Pembrokeshire County Council’s digital connectivity programme have selected Broadway Partners to build their new gigabit capable network.

The pilot projects are in the New Moat and Ambleston areas.

In Pembrokeshire, while more than 88 per cent of households and businesses have access to internet speeds of at least 30Mbps, only around 6.6 per cent of premises have access to Ultrafast broadband (100Mbps) and 2.5 per cent of county households are still struggling with less than 2mbps.

Cllr Paul Miller, Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet member for economy, reiterated that digital connectivity was a top economic development priority.

He said: “We have an enormous task ahead of us but we’re beginning to make real strides forward. While technically not an issue for Local Authorities, I’ve been clear since my appointment in 2017 that improving the county’s digital connectivity is key to our future economic prosperity. That makes it our issue.

“With the first two pilot communities taking their first steps and two more hot on their heels, we are, as promised, ready to see fibre cables being laid across Pembrokeshire.

“Cabinet has allocated more than £2m of capital funding to support the delivery of fibre, in addition to the significant grant award announced earlier this year.

“On top of that, we estimate these pilot projects will draw down a further £810,000 of UK and Welsh Government funding, investment which will be spent directly connecting Pembrokeshire households to the UK Fibre Network.”

Approximately 75 project areas are planned for Pembrokeshire in total, and Cllr Miller will be bringing a digital infrastructure strategy to Cabinet in September for consideration and approval.