Ynys Môn Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth yesterday questioned Welsh Government about the Superfast Cymru Successor scheme on behalf of communities on Anglesey who are still waiting for a fast broadband connection.
In April of this year, the Anglesey AM made a plea to constituents on facebook and in the local papers to let him know about their experience of broadband, and specifically where problems still existed after the end of the Superfast Cymru scheme.
The response he received showed that although the problem in some areas was that people were able to get access to fast broadband but were unaware of that, in other areas, broadband problems still exist with some work having been done, but with some properties just missing out.
Rhun therefore used a questions session in the Assembly to the relevant Cabinet Secretary to ask her to make sure that these areas would be a priority under the successor scheme to Superfast Cymru.
Speaking at the Senedd, Mr ap Iorwerth said:
“I’ve contacted you, as a Minister, in the past, reporting problems with broadband in Ynys Môn. I made an appeal back in April for the latest information. It’s evident that there are a number of areas that have missed out by a hair’s breadth, perhaps, on Superfast Cymru — Llanddona, Llansadwrn, Brynsiencyn, Cefniwrch and Rhydwyn are some of those that have come to prominence.
“In those areas, work had started on preparing for connection. Evidently, there was great disappointment in seeing the programme coming to an end without the work being completed. Are you in a situation to give assurance to these constituents that they will be a priority—that is, that finishing the work that was started previously will be a priority under the new programme, when that comes to pass?”
In her response, the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that that was a matter of negotiation between Welsh Government and BT, but that they were still in the middle of the procurement process at the moment for the new programme.
