Rural residents promised fast broadband - again

It's been a longstanding complaint in homes and businesses across the West Country - the lack of a decent internet connection. Today in the Queen's speech the Government promised to give every household the right to fast broadband. While it's welcome news for rural residents, many have heard it all before - but nothing has been done.

Johnny Torrens-Spence is angry that it's taking so long to get decent broadband. So is Cherry Mulliss, a programmer who designs websites. She has a big image library. Uploading it takes...not seconds, not minutes, not even days - but weeks. It's much easier to get in her car and make a 20 mile round trip to a pub in Burnham on Sea.

Last year the Government said a minimum download speed of 10mb was a necessity. David Cameron told the House of Commons: "The aim for Taunton and the whole of the South West is to make sure we deliver on our promises for high speed broadband."

But earlier this month the Culture Minister suggested not everyone would get it. Not surprisingly not everyone is happy. Bridgwater Conservative MP Ian Liddell-Grainger described it as a betrayal.

The organisation appointed by the Government to oversee the introduction of fast broadband in parts of the region has issued a lengthy statement.