THE Government's rural department is being urged to help fund faster and better access to broadband for all communities in Devon.

Central?Devon?MP?Mel Stride has written to Caroline Spelman, Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), asking for direct funding to help meet the Government's goal of super-fast broadband access for the county.

The Government's BDUK fund (Broadband Delivery UK) has already contributed £31-million to the area covered by the Devon and Somerset Local Enterprise Partnership 'Heart of the South West'.

South West councils, including Devon County, have pledged a further £22-million to improve connectivity and access to broadband for rural towns and villages. But there may remain a potential gap in funding to complete the programme which could, in part, be plugged by Defra.

Its Community Broadband Fund is seen as vital to helping the project, which is due to begin rolling out higher-speed access in a year.

Mr Stride's letter comes after meetings with several groups across the county eager to improve their broadband. These include meetings with residents in Northlew and Exminster, and Crediton Town Council.

Mr Stride said: 'I am urging Defra to provide additional support for this programme for rural areas like Devon.

'It is very clear that the best available internet connections and speed are vital for our businesses and communities in Devon, but traditionally we have lagged behind the rest of the country due to the remoteness of many of our rural communities.

'The Connecting Devon and Somerset project will go a long way to providing a much better service, but we need all Government departments onside and support from Defra will be very important for this programme's success.'

Devon businesses, communities and residents can support the broadband plan by registering on the project's website http://www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk">www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk

Showing support will help the project attract additional investors and provide evidence there is a great need for improved broadband access.