ALL parts of East Lancashire will be linked up with high-speed broadband under proposals drawn up by regeneration leaders.

They want to use public cash to lay down state-of-the-art fibre optic cables so even the most rural parts of the area can enjoy quick internet access.

Bosses at Regenerate Pennine Lancashire (RPL), the publcly-funded body set up to spearhead regeneration in the area, also believe a fast broadband network is vital to ensure East Lancashire’s economy can compete with large urban areas and lure new businesses.

RPL members are currently putting the finishing touches to a business plan that will propose how millions of pounds of money should be spent.

As well as detailing major housing renewal and business park schemes, the document will put forward plans to improve East Lancashire’s broadband network.

Steve Hoyle, RPL’s commercial director, said: “In some areas of Pennine Lancashire there is a surplus of broadband but other areas, particularly the rural parts, are poorly served.

“So we are looking at mapping the area and then using the public sector’s buying power to provide the missing network.

“This is important because if broadband is left to internet providers, they concentrate on large urban areas like Liverpool and Manchester and then get round to places like Pennine Lancashire later.”

Mr Hoyle said bosses hoped to have completed a ‘map’ of current broadband provision by the end of the summer.

Britain’s broadband future has sparked debate nationwide with arguments over whether the public sector should step in to ensure rural areas are not neglected by providers.

Mr Hoyle insisted high-quality broadband was 'essential' for huge new business parks planned for Whitebirk in Blackburn and Burnley Bridge, close to junction eight of the M65.

Some Ribble Valley villages and areas of Pendle are believed to have the slowest internet connection speeds in the area.

Ribble Valley Council leader Michael Ranson, who sits on the RPL board, added: “Public sector money has got to be spent on improving broadband in Pennine Lancashire.

“It would improve the isolation of rural communities.”

RPL was last year handed up to £200million of public money to improve prosperity in East Lancashire.

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