AN ASSEMBLY member has demanded better broadband in Dwyfor Meirionnydd suggesting poor connectivity “threatens the livelihoods of business people”.

Mid and west AM Simon Thomas has written to the Welsh Minister Julie James to ask for improved internet services for rural towns.

Research by the Plaid Cymru politician’s team has found Botwnnog, Llanfachreth, and Abererch suffering the worst download speeds in the constituency.

However, the Welsh Government has said Mr Thomas is “ignoring the excellent progress made across Wales”.

Shadow Cabinet secretary for rural affairs Simon Thomas said: “The campaign for connecting our communities is part of a wider drive to protect rural Wales as much as possible from the impact of Brexit.

“Plaid Cymru is striving to ensure that rural areas have better provision when it comes to mobile phone signal, broadband and transport.

“I’ve written to the Labour Government to demand improved broadband.

“The ever increasing complaints I receive have to be addressed.

“The grievances include people unable to get superfast broadband, to being promised superfast broadband but having it delayed repeatedly, to suffering download speeds as low as 0.3Mbps.

“A report from the British Infrastructure Group found nearly a quarter of Welsh constituencies appear in the worst 20 constituencies in the whole of the UK for broadband speed, compared with two per cent of constituencies in the rest of the UK.

“It shows how Wales is being left behind when it comes to investment into infrastructure.

“I am concerned that instead of insisting Wales gets adequate investment and services on a par with the rest of the UK, the Labour Government in Wales appears to defend poor service in the affected areas.

“My team has investigated broadband speeds in towns and villages in Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituencies.

“The figures make bleak reading. The reality is very different on broadband speeds from the picture painted by government and commercial providers.

“This issue threatens the livelihoods of business people living in Dwyfor Meirionnydd.”

In response, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: “These comments choose to ignore the excellent progress made in providing superfast broadband across Wales.

“The latest ‘Connected Nations’ report from Ofcom shows that Wales has the highest availability of superfast broadband among the devolved nations, with over eight out of 10 premises able to access superfast broadband.

“As a result of our Superfast Cymru programme, the majority of residents in Dwyfor Meirionnydd can now access superfast broadband."See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online on Thursday