Ceredigion MP Ben Lake has raised concerns over digital and transport connectivity in rural Wales at Parliament.

During the Westminster debate on the future of the Welsh rural economy, Mr Lake spoke of the significant challenges faced by rural communities regarding digital and transport connectivity.

During his speech, Mr Lake noted that connectivity “remains a tremendous challenge for the rural economy of Wales”.

Mr Lake welcomed the recent pilot broadband upgrade scheme carried out by DCMS in Ceredigion and neighbouring counties, which “proved successful in aggregating community demand for better broadband and encouraging alternative network providers to bid to undertake upgrade work in some of our most rural communities”.

Despite the scheme’s initial success, Mr Lake noted that Openreach’s announcement of a commercial roll-out in Ceredigion in the next four or five years has thrown many imminent broadband upgrade projects into uncertainty.

Mr Lake MP said: “Access to broadband is critical, both for economic prosperity and individual wellbeing. At present, there is a real danger that the UK Government’s digital infrastructure strategy will not deliver for rural communities in Ceredigion.

“Just as important as digitally connecting our rural economy is the need to decarbonise our transport system rapidly and responsibly reduce private car use.

“It is simply not enough for the governments to call for improved active travel or the adoption of electric vehicles if they are not also prepared to invest in the necessary infrastructure.”