THOUSANDS of rural homes and businesses in the region could soon have access to high speed broadband.

The County Durham communities of Cockfield, Sacriston, Sherburn Hill, Staindrop, Thornley, West Auckland and Willington will benefit from the first phase of a programme to improve access in rural areas.

Money will also be spent on improving access in Bishop Auckland, Consett, Durham, Shildon and Spennymoor.

Councillor Jane Brown, Durham County Council cabinet member for Corporate Services, said: “Access to fast broadband speeds is still a problem for parts of the county, especially in the more rural areas.

“It is great news that we are truly underway with the programme.

“There is still a lot more to come though and we are chasing every opportunity to extend fibre broadband coverage to more businesses, homes and communities across Durham.”

The council is behind Digital Durham, a £24m initiative to transform broadband speeds for businesses and residents across County Durham, Gateshead, Sunderland and the Tees Valley.

In April 2013 a partnership of eight local authorities including Durham County Council, agreed a deal with BT to extend high-speed fibre broadband availability to around 94 per cent of premises by the end of 2016. It is also aiming to provide a minimum of 2Mbps broadband speeds for all.

BT’s investment of £5.9m bolsters the public sector investment, which includes £7.8m from Durham County Council and Gateshead, and £9.1m Government funding