Sadly, I regularly receive comments from constituents to say that they cannot access fibre broadband in their community. A good broadband speed is now considered the fourth utility, is an essential part of modern life and is no longer a “nice to have” luxury.
Figures released earlier this year show that in terms of properties already having access to superfast broadband speeds, Pembrokeshire was ranked 18th out of the 22 counties in Wales. The Welsh Government’s Superfast Phase 2 scheme will only see a meagre 375 additional properties in Pembrokeshire being connected to fibre broadband, which is another blow to the many communities in the County with inadequate broadband speeds.
I have been fortunate enough to be drawn again for a debate which will take place this coming Wednesday 8th May. This time the subject I have chosen is the provision of fibre broadband in Preseli Pembrokeshire. After I speak on the subject, a Welsh Government Minister will respond. I would expect this to be Lee Waters AM who is now responsible for digital infrastructure in Wales. The debate can be viewed live at http://www.senedd.tv/ From Thursday 9th May, the debate will be able to be viewed on my website at https://www.paul-davies.org.uk/
Please be assured I will continue to strenuously lobby the Welsh Government and their continued chosen provider Openreach to end the digital divide between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ which is causing a huge problem to many local communities who continue to be in the broadband slow lane.
Senedd Member Paul Davies and local councillors David Bryan and Di Clements are calling on the Welsh Government to do more to tackle congestion on the Salutation Square roundabout in Haverfordwest.
