PEOPLE in South Holland have been racing online to Say Yes to Better Broadband.
In the past week, 46 more people and businesses in the area have backed the OnLincolnshire project which aims to bring superfast broadband to the county.
This means that around 260 residents and 85 businesses from South Holland have now lent their support to the project, bringing the countywide total to 7,150.
Support from residents and businesses is particularly strong in Sutton St Edmund, Wyberton, Holbeach and Pinchbeck, but there is still room for more people from Cowbit, Crowland, Fleet, Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge to sign up.
The Lincolnshire County Council-led project aims to bring superfast broadband speeds of at least 24Mbps to 90 per cent of homes and businesses in the county by 2015, with a guaranteed 2Mpbs for the remaining premises.
Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors are all helping to spread the word about the project.
Simon Beardsley, chief executive of Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “South Holland is slightly lagging behind the rest of the county in registering for the OnLincolnshire project.
“We are keen to engage with other organisations to make people aware of the advantages of superfast broadband and the risks of missing out if they don’t come on board.”
Over the next few years, superfast broadband technology will be rolled out across the county.
Around £57m of private and public sector money will be invested in this, including £10m from the county council and £4m from the district councils.
Councillor Kelly Smith, executive member for finance and human resources at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “It’s hard to imagine life without the Internet but in some parts of Lincolnshire, what many of us now take for granted remains out of reach.
“We want to change that, but we need your support.
“Residents can help by registering at www.onlincolnshire.org, proving to commercial suppliers that there’s demand for next-generation broadband.”
Those without internet access can call Lincolnshire County Council’s Customer Services on 01522 782006 or sign up at your library.