CALLS are being made for BT and the Welsh Government to step up their efforts in supplying broadband to villages in Gwynedd.

Local county councillor, Gareth Thomas and Penrhyndeudraeth and Llanfrothen Community Council chair, Cllr Glyn Griffiths are calling on the Welsh Government and BT to step up their efforts to ensure the necessary work is undertaken to provide fibre optic broadband facilities in the villages of Croesor and Rhyd.

Cllr Griffiths, said: “We have contacted BT and the Welsh Government several times to ask them to link the two rural villages quickly. Due to the slow internet connection the residents of the area are severely disadvantaged.”

At a breakfast meeting organised by Farmers Union of Wales in a Llanfrothen cafe the matter was discussed with Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, Simon Thomas.

Cllr Thomas added: “In this day and age having broadband access is fundamental, not only as a personal communication tool, but for businesses in rural areas. Fibre optic broadband is a gateway to business customers and is essential in rural areas for sharing information, bookings, marketing and handling finances.

“Most parts of Gwynedd have already received a superfast broadband connection for some time – it is high time rural villages in Croesor and Rhyd receives the same facility.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “Superfast Cymru, our partnership with BT, is bringing superfast broadband to large parts of Wales which would otherwise not receive it, areas where commercial companies had no plans to roll-out fibre speed connectivity, most notably in rural areas.

"Now 49,941 premises in the county can access it with more gaining access every day as the rollout continues."

Read the full story in this week’s north editions of the Cambrian News