Strategy launched to tackle digital inequality in South London
A new strategy has been launched to tackle digital inequality and slow broadband connectivity across five South London boroughs.
The project, launched by the South London Partnership and Local London – funded by the Greater Local Authority (GLA) – aims to improve the quality and accessibility of digital services in boroughs including Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Croydon and Merton.
Across these areas, the two partnerships reported 156,000 properties cannot access a gigabit-capable broadband service.
Gigabit-capable broadband means download speeds of at least 1 gigabit-per-second. The Government has set itself a target to make gigabit broadband available to 85 per cent of the UK by 2025 and nationwide by 2030.
The strategy is part of a wider pilot which will deliver an “interactive mapping tool” and an online “digital toolkit” that will help borough officers deliver digital infrastructure to their sites and encourage investment.
Theo Blackwell, chief digital officer at GLA, said: “Widely available, easily accessible digital connectivity is essential for people to reach public services and is key to helping cities grow, yet there are still parts of London that suffer from a lack of commercial investment in digital infrastructure, and this results in gaps in internet coverage or ‘not spots’.
“We must address these gaps and drive up the quality and accessibility of the services that are already available, to help the capital to be a fairer, more prosperous, and more equal London for everyone.”
Pictured top: Fibre optics (Picture: blizzy78 / Flickr)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
