£3.2 million boost for rural broadband in Mid Sussex

Mid Sussex District Council and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership secured the Government cash to improve digital infrastructure in the rural area.

The council says the money will help to stimulate the market in rural areas and make Mid Sussex towns and villages more attractive places to invest.

The council is already working on a project to deliver gigabit capable full fibre broadband in Burgess Hill after securing £2.2 million from the Government’s Local Full Fibre Network fund.

Council leader Jonathan Ash-Edwards said:“With so many people working from home at the minute due to the coronavirus pandemic, the benefits of a fast broadband connection have never been more apparent.

“The need for faster digital connectivity is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years and gigabit capable broadband will be essential if our local companies in rural areas are to compete on a level footing with businesses based in big towns and cities.

“Gigabit capable broadband will be of huge benefit to our local businesses and the Mid Sussex economy as a whole. Companies will be able to reduce costs by switching to online services and new avenues of communication will be opened up, such as online video conferencing.

“With this infrastructure investment, our businesses will be able compete internationally, improve their online services and save money by using digital technologies to work in more efficient and environmentally friendly ways.

“The investment we have secured for Burgess Hill and now the surrounding rural areas is tremendously exciting and will make Mid Sussex one of the most attractive areas in the South East for private companies to invest.”

Coast to Capital chief executive Jonathan Sharrock said: “We are delighted to have received a £19.2 million contribution from government as part of the new Getting Building Fund for a wide-ranging package of projects that will deliver a much-needed boost to the local economy. We are looking forward to seeing the details of the plan and working closely with Mid Sussex District Council on the next steps.”