Liberal Democrat councillors serving on South Gloucestershire’s Resources Committee have secured extra commitments to help improve internet access for rural residents.

Lib Dem councillor for Cotswold Edge Ward, Sue Hope, who drafted the proposals, said: “We have secured promises from the Council to work with BT to improve communication with residents and to investigate alternatives schemes and technology so that rural areas are not entirely dependent on BT’s plans. We have also asked the Council to lobby government to ensure that future public contracts of this kind are more transparent, so that residents know what is happening with their services.

“This is good news for rural residents in my ward and across South Gloucestershire. I will be keeping a close eye on this issue to ensure that the Council lives up to their commitments to local people.”

Fellow Lib Dem councillor for Westerleigh, Claire Young, said: “There is understandable frustration that, while some in South Gloucestershire are now enjoying access to superfast broadband, many rural residents are stuck in the slow-lane and lucky to have access to 2 MB per second. I’m pleased we were able to get these extra commitments from the Council today but there is still a long way to go.”