A CUTTING edge project aiming to deliver high speed broadband to most of the Forest of Dean and large parts of Herefordshire, is about to go out to tender.

The project is among the first wave of four rural broadband pilot projects to receive government funding, the others being Cumbria, North Yorkshire and the Highlands and Islands in Scotland.

Phase 1 (see map) includes most of the Forest of Dean down as far as Lydney and covering Coleford, Cinderford, Drybrook, Lydney and Ruardean, up the Severn estuary skirting Gloucester but going almost as far as Ledbury. Crossing the borders into Herefordshire, it takes in Ross-on-Wye, stops at the edge of Hereford itself and includes the border area as far as Golden Valley.

The complex and demanding multi-million pound contract has already asked for 'expressions of interest' from the industry.

It will then go through a detailed tendering process from August through to January. The winner of the Phase 1 tender should then be announced early next Spring. The project is being run by partners in Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, with Herefordshire Council taking the lead. The aim is to find the most viable technological solutions to provide 100 per cent broadband coverage for the pilot area within two years.

David Owen, chief executive of the project's managing partner Gfirst, said: "Superfast broadband that exceeds national average speed will bring immeasurable benefits to businesses in the Forest of Dean, encouraging business expansion and fostering inward investment. It will also connect isolated communities and enable local people to access a whole range of public services online."