MEMBERS of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority reaffirmed their commitment to support the rollout of broadband to remote communities as soon as possible Their determination to help push for the service followed a presentation at Tuesday’s authority meeting by NYnet — a commercial venture set up by North Yorkshire County Council — explaining its plans to provide all small businesses and citizens of North Yorkshire with high-speed broadband.

The project will be achieved through funding from Broadband Delivery United Kingdom and the European Regional Development Fund.

Earlier this year authority chairman Carl Lis revealed that the need to have good quality broadband by 2015 was one of the proposed objectives in the draft National Park Management Plan.

He said it was ”crucial” for local businesses and households that all premises across the National Park should have decent broadband access – with superfast broadband in place for areas with significant population.

The plan has been produced by a partnership of organisations, including district and county councils, the Environment Agency, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA), Natural England and representatives of local businesses like the Dales Farmer Network. It is currently out for public consultation until January 11.

Yesterday Mr Lis said: “It’s unbelievable that – despite all the technology available – remote rural areas haven’t got broadband simply because the low population and difficult terrain have meant that it’s not commercially viable for the companies to invest in the infrastructure. However, it’s very encouraging that the Government is now putting money in to make it happen “The authority is totally committed to helping to get broadband into the National Park in the best way possible. There are already several excellent local community-led broadband initiatives under way within the National Park. The authority has been actively involved in providing advice and support to schemes in Upper Wharfedale, Littondale, Garsdale and Dentdale.

“We will continue to offer this support and do everything we can to reach our objective as soon as possible.”