SUPERFAST broadband coverage is finally set to be brought up to speed in Tendring following a £9 million deal.

The BT Group and Essex County Council have signed a contract as part of the Superfast Essex programme, which is brining speeds of 30Mbps and above to an extra 5,400 homes and businesses in the district by March 2020.

The move will ensure superfast broadband will be available to 98 per cent of the district.

Gagan Mohindra, Essex County Council’s deputy cabinet member for economic growth, skills, infrastructure and the digital economy, said: “The Superfast Essex programme has made great achievements in extending the superfast footprint across Essex and this latest investment will bring connectivity in Tendring district in line with the rest of the county.

“Essex County Council is committed to making Essex one of the best-connected counties in the UK and is continuing to do all it can to help achieve this.”

Tendring Council paid £250,000 towards the scheme, which was matched by a new grant from the UK Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme, with the remainder of the public investment being provided by Essex County Council.

Superfast Essex has so far reached more than 95,000 Essex homes and businesses.

Rowena D’Rosario, project manager for Openreach, the business responsible for Britain’s largest phone and broadband network, said: “Increasingly, fibre has become the must-have technology for families and businesses, which is why we’re working hard to make it available to as many people as possible, even in the most remote parts of Essex.

“It’s particularly important to have access to high-speed broadband at this time of the year when many of us use the internet more than usual for leisure and entertainment.

“Having high-speed broadband can make online shopping and click and collect services quick and convenient, and staying in touch with loved ones abroad much easier.”

Neil Stock, leader of Tendring Council, said he had been working hard to delivering superfast broadband to every property in the district.

He added: “I hope that work can begin very rapidly on delivering this as superfast broadband connection is a key part of everyday life for residents and businesses.”

Clacton MP Giles Watling added: “This multi-million pound investment into superfast broadband across Tendring is absolutely fantastic news.

"The internet is vital for so many facets of life. Securing fast and reliable broadband will be welcome news for businesses, local residents, schools and pupils who rely on the internet and benefit from its many uses.

"The work that the councillors and officers have put in on this issue has been exemplary. ”