FASTER broadband access for Gloucestershire is the aim of the 'fastershire' initiative, which was first mooted two years ago, and which has now reached a consultation stage, and is attracting attention from different localities across the county who are striving to increase their broadband speeds.

Members of the Lydney Neighbourhood Planning Project, champions of the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), attended the latest meeting on the 'fastershire' project, held last week, and lobbied for the town to get faster access as soon as possible.

In a statement outlining their needs, the NDP said: "The need for faster broadband is seen as a major infrastructure requirement in discussions with businesses hoping to create new employment opportunities in Lydney. With a growing number of home workers and small businesses operating from home, faster broadband for video conferencing, remote access, sending and receiving large data packages and networking is vital."

They added: "The councils' ultimate target is to provide access to broadband speeds of 24 megabits per second (Mbps) or above for all who want it by 2018 - with speeds of 80Mbps being typical. The NDP sought assurances that they would get a target date and speed at the earliest possible time so that they could advise investors in Lydney."

With some £3 million being earmarked by the Local Enterprise Partnership to 'kick start' economic development in Lydney, the NDP said that faster broadband access was a 'key priority'.

NDP Chairman Brian Pearman said: "We lobbied hard for Lydney at the launch. Laying fibre optic cables is a complex task but getting faster broadband to Lydney must be a priority.

"If we don't have the proper infrastructure in Lydney the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) investment for growth will not be fully realised and we will lose out to competitors across the Severn."

He added: "Lydney is a very attractive place for people to live and work in, but the ability of people to communicate globally through high speed digital networks is essential. We will be pushing to get an early delivery for Lydney."