Norfolk County Council leader Derrick Murphy, left, deputy leader Ian Mackie,centre, amd EDP editor Peter Waters celebrate news of the successful broadband bid; photo by Adrian Judd

Joy as government backs EDP’s bid to bring better broadband to Norfolk

By Shaun Lowthorpe, Public affairs correspondent Friday, May 27, 2011
2:06 PM

Norfolk’s dream of providing broadband access for all is set to become a reality after the government backed a £15m bid to lead the county into the information and economic fast lane.

Business and council leaders are celebrating the success of the combined ‘Back the Bid’ campaign spearheaded by Norfolk County Council and the EDP for a share of a £530m national fund held to improve broadband availability.

The government will today confirm that it is supporting the council’s own £15m investment pound for pound, and with the private sector also expected to bring in £30m, that means there will be a combined £60m investment to help deliver superfast broadband to large swathes of Norfolk by March 2015.

Norfolk was one of three bids to share in a slice of a £50m pot, with the government also supporting proposals from Wiltshire, and a combined bid from Devon and Somerset.

The investment will see every single property in Norfolk able to access 2Mbs minimum broadband speeds in the next four years, but superfast broadband available for most of the county.

But there was disappointment for Suffolk as its own bid did not succeed.

Derrick Murphy, leader of Norfolk County Council, said the news was one of the most significant announcements made in Norfolk in recent years alongside news that the A11 will also be dualled.

“I am absolutely delighted that our ambition for Norfolk not to get left behind in the internet slow lane has been positively recognised today,” Mr Murphy said. “This really is fantastic news for Norfolk and I am sure the ‘Norfolk United’ approach of ourselves, our MPs, businesses and the EDP speaking with one voice has been very helpful in ensuring our message has been heard so clearly in Westminster.

“With the internet central to virtually every aspect of modern life, our lack of broadband access has become a key concern for us. We simply could not afford to accept this, which is why we seized the opportunity for funding so firmly and backed our bid with hard cash.”

More than 200 businesses came forward to identify how slow broadband was limiting their growth and Norfolk’s bid was endorsed by Norfolk’s MPs and business organisations during the Back the Bid campaign run with the Eastern Daily Press during April.

But the bid also outlined the other social advantages of better broadband including helping to improve educational opportunities and attainment, reduce social exclusion, lower carbon dioxide emissions and traffic congestion by enabling more home working and provide online alternatives to travelling to meetings, the bank and the supermarket.

EDP editor Peter Waters said: “This success has proven once again that if we all pull together - the councils, our MPs, and business, the public and the county’s daily newspaper - then we can get things done to help the development and prosperity of Norfolk. This money could well prove the catalyst to help regenerate our rural economy and with improved Broadband communication we’ll be a much more attractive location to do business.”

County Hall, which submitted a strong bid to Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) in April, now hopes to award a contract with a supplier by September 2012 with work on the ground starting soon afterwards.

Ann Steward, cabinet member for economic development, said improving the broadband network in Norfolk was one of the best investments the council could make in value for money terms to ensure the future economic success of the county.

“That’s why we moved decisively to ensure substantial funds are available to deliver a broadband network that will put Norfolk in the fast lane - and help to keep us there,” she said. “We have a strong team ready to deliver an exciting project which will bring a major boost to our businesses.”

Currently more than 50,000 private and commercial properties across the county are in broadband ‘not spots’, either having no broadband access or suffering very slow internet speeds of less than 2Mbs (megabits per second).

Independent research commissioned by the council shows the ‘Better Broadband for Norfolk’ project bid would create an additional 1,337 jobs and boost the county’s economy by £401m over 10 years, by removing the barriers to growth, flexibility and efficiency experienced by many businesses and organisations, encouraging more company start ups, particularly in rural areas, and persuading more large national and international businesses to consider Norfolk as a more attractive location in which to do business.

Ian Mackie, council deputy leader said the investment would have a major impact for years to come.

“During our conversations with BDUK we stressed both the significant financial commitment of £15m the county council has offered to provide better broadband and our strong track record in successfully delivering major procurement projects with high calibre staff,” Mr Mackie said. “We have clearly successfully demonstrated that improved broadband is a top priority for the council and the local business community. What is good for business is good for local jobs and I am delighted that this significant level of funding, using part of our Norfolk Infrastructure Fund, will deliver positive social outcomes in our large rural county.”

Mark Hodges, chairman of Shaping Norfolk’s Future and chief executive of Aviva UK, said: “This is tremendous news. Bringing superfast broadband to Norfolk is one of Shaping Norfolk’s Future’s top priorities and this funding will enable that to happen. The project will create jobs and be a huge boost for business. It will make Norfolk a much more attractive place for businesses to operate in.

Caroline Williams, chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Winning the bid is fantastic news for Norfolk. Out of the 21 bids we were one of only three to succeed, so this really puts the region on the map. This will enable businesses to communicate more effectively and be instrumental in creating jobs for Norfolk and moving the economy forward.”

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman said the decision was great news at a time when public finances were under such pressure.

“It’s a tribute to the compaign and an acknowledgement of our potential,” Mr Freeman said. “The key now is for all those involved to look creatively , at how best to use that money for maximum impact and benefit for communities.”

South-West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss said the broadband roll-out would benefit both residents and businesses.

“Along with the A11, improvements in the rail network, the high speed broadband will significantly add to the overall improvement in Norfolk’s infrastructure,” she said. “From the city to the coast to the countryside, the economic boost for the county will be tremendous.”

Andy Wood, chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and chief executive of Adnams, said: “I’m delighted that Norfolk has been successful in its bid. It shows that the Government is prepared to invest in our area when presented with a compelling economic case.

“I am naturally disappointed that Suffolk’s bid has not yet received funding, particularly given the strength of its case. However it is important to stress that this is only the first round of funding and there will be several more. We believe the Suffolk bid was technically as good as any put forward. However we will be looking to see why the Suffolk bid was not as attractive as others and once we have that information we will aim to put that right.”

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “Broadband is becoming just as essential to homes and businesses as electricity and telephone lines and it is now only a matter for time before people in these three new rural areas have access to the connection speeds more commonly associated with towns and cities.

“This is great news for people in Devon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Norfolk, but other councils will soon have the chance to bid for a nationwide funding programme. This is part of our plan for virtually every community in the UK to have access to superfast broadband.”

32 comments

Only in Norfolk could we complain about getting government funding, which if it didn't come here would go elsewhere. Do we always want to be seen as backward and not a place to do business! As for the incinerator crowd by all means campaign but don't mess up other unrelated pages it doesn't get you any friends whether a supporter or otherwise.

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commonsense!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011
May I, with a degree of regret, register a protest against a friend of mine. He suggested that an ideal caption for the photograph above would be: "RULING JUNTA CELEBRATES ANNOUNCEMENT THAT JOHN MARTIN HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO TEST OUT THE NEW INCINERATOR". Who needs friends like that? I would rather cuddle up with Cllr Derrick Murphy.

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John Martin

Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sorry Peter J, I am anti incinerator BUT I am also all for improved business in Norfolk, as long as it isn't bad for my health and wealth! I am highly amused that, as if we needed reminding The EDP and NCC are very cosy bedfellows. Archant own the EDP and have the contract for all NCCs magazine printing and advertising. That is why the EDP is so biased in it's reporting. You will see all the good news stories spread across its front pages in fine detail. The stuff NCC doesn't want printed like the full contents of the Spelman letter will be given as a vague resume. The congratualtion letter from Pickles office had word for word quotes of all the good news from NCC's point of view, printed in the EDP before the ink dried on the page Bias!!! it is not good for the editorial at all.

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Canary Boy

Sunday, May 29, 2011
I agree KG - BT isnt a charity. Neither is the taxpayer but it seems OK for me to financially support them and other businesses in making this a reality..... Hmmmm.

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Fenscape

Saturday, May 28, 2011
It has to be remembered that BT is a business not a charity. Unless they get a return on their investment they are not going to spend tons of cash getting fast broadband to rural areas. The people who worked on and won this bid deserve a pat on the back.

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KG

Saturday, May 28, 2011
Actually Peter J, I think I'll pass on your kind suggestion. With the greatest of respect, I am prepared to mention the proposed incinerator in Kings Lynn absolutely anywhere I can in order to alert the public to the shameful way our county is being run by the likes of Murphy and Mackie. No hard feelings. PS: Ingo - agreed! Norfolk taxpayer to the rescue of poor old destitute BT... again!

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Fenscape

Saturday, May 28, 2011
Good braodband spped is of course essential to businesses and to customers as well as leisure users of the service But for a fuss,wait til Tacolneston switches off analogue signals in November and the elderly and poor who are watching freeview in East Norfolk on a standard aerial find they need to fork out for fitting a wideband aerial or a satellite dish

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Daisy Roots

Saturday, May 28, 2011
It looks like comments here don't back the claim of a massive broadband ampaing the EDP is fronting. So the taxpayer now has to invest more money so broadband companies are enabled and, get paid more money? Would they like a cup of tea with that whilst we wait?

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ingo wagenknecht

Saturday, May 28, 2011
Could the anti-incinerator brigade kindly refrain from bringing up the issue ALL of the time, or at least save their comments on the subject for articles that actually relate to it? Broadband is wonderful news for people in Norfolk... particularly businesses in rural areas who employ thousands of people. For a change it might be nice if the usual naysayers gave credit where it is due.

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Peter J

Saturday, May 28, 2011
....and a train service from Norwich to London that takes less time than the Manchester to London service would be a step in the right direction too

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KG

Friday, May 27, 2011
Oh dear - Del Boy and Rodney pose with the editor of the EDP.... "This time next year, we'll be millionaires - unless we stick the dosh in an Icelandic Bank - oops!"

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Fenscape

Friday, May 27, 2011
....and a train service from Norwich to London that takes less time than the Manchester to London service would be a step in the right direction too

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KG

Friday, May 27, 2011
Oh dear - Del Boy and Rodney pose with the editor of the EDP.... "This time next year, we'll be millionaires - unless we stick the dosh in an Icelandic Bank - oops!"

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Fenscape

Friday, May 27, 2011
Jono Read - spot on but you forgot to mention (1) a bit more dual carriageway here & there to join up the thus far isolated bits, (2) an "International" Airport that actually has daily flights to International destinations and (3) an "International" Airport that doesn't charge you for using it. Yep, John Norton, Norfolk IS special but for the wrong reasons

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DAVID WILLGRESS

Friday, May 27, 2011
Look at it this way folks. With faster broadband we will be able to send a lot more e-mails quicker, when requesting freedom of information reports! Bring it on.....

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Christine

Friday, May 27, 2011
It may interest readers who have seen the above picture and have been even more unfortunate to have caught sight of the picture on the NCC home website that it is a mistake that the thumbs up sign is a sign of victory. In fact the thumbs down sign was a sign of compassion and mercy in Roman times and the thumbs up meant very bad news for the participants. Now that the people of Kings Lynn know this they may look at these pictures in a very different light!

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alecto

Friday, May 27, 2011
The three amigos look happy here ,if only the 65516 people who voted not to have an incinerator could have there wishes heard maybe they could be happy to.

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Steve33

Friday, May 27, 2011
our family has been taking Edp for about 90 years not anymore after this article this paper is more biased than a bowling wood full of self praise, probably they don't know the saying "Self Praise is No Recommendation

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LFB

Friday, May 27, 2011
"It’s the things we haven’t got that make Norfolk so special" Please tell me this is a joke, right?

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KG

Friday, May 27, 2011
"It’s the things we haven’t got that make Norfolk so special." Please tell me you're joking... Norfolk needs massive infrastructure improvements. The A11 improvement cant come soon enough and when you can travel by train from Manchester to London quicker than from Norwich to London, something ain't right.. Career prospects for the kids here is pretty poor too. Anything that can help attract new business to the region has to be good.

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KG

Friday, May 27, 2011
Have the decisions been made yet as to how and where the money will be spent? ie FTTC (hopefully) and what criteria for an areavillage to be included?

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KG

Friday, May 27, 2011
Thanks - We will now be able to show live webcam pictures of the pollution of the West of the County by an unnecessary, unwanted , loss making for Norfolk incinerator.

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IanofNorfolk

Friday, May 27, 2011
Now don,t get me wrong 3bids to share 50million let us old norfolk boys work this out,Ma pass me the abacus beads,right that works out at 16,666,666.66p in the new fangled decimal money,now how comes our council only got 15 million.Give me the abacus beads again Ma that works out at 17.5 million for the other 2 bidders,never mind its only tax-payer money NCC has got plenty money.and with the private sector also expected to bring in 30 million.Now this word "expected" has several synonyms,eg( assumed,presumed,looked for,hoped for.)Don't hold your breath!! Mr Murphy said. “This really is fantastic news for Norfolk and I am sure the ‘Norfolk United’ approach of ourselves, our MPs, businesses and the EDP speaking with one voice has been very helpful in ensuring our message has been heard so clearly in Westminster."Norfolk United" Its a pity they did 'nt do the same for the people in Kings Lynn with the Incinerater.Let's go Ma the honey-cart just arrived.they may think we are "slow in the head in Norfolk" but we are not simple,Anyhow we can devide 50 by3.By the way Ma ask the old boy on the honey-cart can he come again same tomorrow,after we read the Edp we will have another load for him

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LFB

Friday, May 27, 2011
Alecto, I like it. All for one and one for all, how apt!!!

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Canary Boy

Friday, May 27, 2011
Derrick Murphy has obviously been in a sword-fight. (Someone from King's Lynn?) His right arm appears to have been cut off.

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John Martin

Friday, May 27, 2011
A picture of the three Musketeers!

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alecto

Friday, May 27, 2011
Good news for Norfolk and good publicity for County Hall. Got to rely on the Lynn News to publish details of the formal Legal Challenge launched by Michael DeWhalley against County Hall though. This is why I cancelled my subscription to the very biased EDP.

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Joy, King's Lynn

Friday, May 27, 2011
Good news for Norfolk and good publicity for County Hall. Got to rely on the Lynn News to publish details of the formal Legal Challenge launched by Michael DeWhalley against County Hall though. This is why I cancelled my subscription to the very biased EDP.

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Joy, King's Lynn

Friday, May 27, 2011
Yes £60,000000 sounds a lot of money it even looks like a lot when written down, but put it into the hands of the greedy Internet providers and it won’t go very far. As for large swathes of Norfolk receiving 2mb and maybe just maybe more, it all sounds like jumping for joy over nothing much.

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Peter Trett

Friday, May 27, 2011
Yes £60,000000 sounds a lot of money it even looks like a lot when written down, but put it into the hands of greedy companies like BT and Virgin and it won’t go very far. As for large swathes of Norfolk receiving 2mb and maybe just maybe more, it all sounds like jumping for joy over nothing much.

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Peter Trett

Friday, May 27, 2011
It’s the things we haven’t got that make Norfolk so special.

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John L Norton

Friday, May 27, 2011
Hurrah! Now we just need improved digital television signals, digital radio signals, mobile phone signals, 3G mobile internet signals, wifi signals and we'll be laughing...

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Jono Read

Friday, May 27, 2011