MONMOUTHSHIRE councillors have expressed concerns about the county being 'left behind’ by the Welsh Government’s Superfast Cymru broadband plan.

Councillors at the economy and development select committee, held yesterday, heard evidence that seemed to suggest Monmouthshire wasn’t as ‘enthusiastic’ to embrace the roll-out.

However Councillor Bob Greenland said: “We were actually at the forefront at the very outset.

“We have pushed constantly for Monmouthshire to be up this list. I feel quite aggrieved to think that there’s anybody that can be actually unaware of Monmouthshire’s constant push.”

Monmouthshire’s apparent demotion from being at the ‘forefront’ of developments was guided by Welsh Government directives.

While the focus of the project was supposed to be shared between economic ‘enterprise’ and ‘local growth’ zones, many rural areas are severely lacking in coverage.

The meeting heard how Chepstow is considered to be an IT hub but according to figures supplied by a representative of Superfast Cymru only 18% of the area had received coverage thus far.

Cllr Phil Hobson said Monmouthshire deserves to be one of the first in line when 5G data coverage rolls out across Wales.

He said: “When it comes to enthusiasm, we want 5G – we’re not satisfied with 4G. To be quite honest it’s the 'Holy Grail', it enables everybody to get everything.

"Wouldn’t it be great if Monmouthshire could be the rural trailblazer to show that 5G can work and transform?”

With Abergavenny’s Europe-sponsored ‘agri-urban scheme’ project well under way, Cllr John Prosser underlined broadband as being “absolutely vital” to his community.

Cllr Prosser also asked for assurances that any development plans would be communicated to the town.

He said: “I was quite pleased last year when we re-laid new roads and pavements in my ward.

"It looks smart and now your guys are coming along and literally digging holes every five metres.

“I’m having sleepless nights about this it was a large project and it cost a lot of money."

Superfast Cymru spokesman Martin Jones said: "Areas in Pembrokeshire and North Wales were pushed up the order due to having these priority areas.

“It’s always been at the forefront of build it’s just when it came to priority areas there were higher priorities."

The meeting were told 72% of Monmouthshire is currently covered by the high-speed broadband.

The plan is to have 95% coverage across Wales by June 2017 and the scheme expect Monmouthshire’s figures to be ‘around that mark’.

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