A BUSINESSMAN has spoken of his exasperation over the fact he cannot get Broadband internet access at his offices.

Ray Jackson, managing director of Solcara Ltd, Coppermill Lock, Harefield, told the Times it is a disgrace that the service is not available to businesses and individuals in the area.

He said: "Most of the country and many very remote areas now have Broadband access, but Harefield, within the key M25 business area and in the otherwise thriving South East, seems to have been forgotten."

British Telecom has set a minimum of 350 people in Harefield to register their interest in Broadband before the village's exchange system is upgraded.

However, until that amount of people register, Broadband will remain unavailable.

Mr Jackson said: "It's ridiculous. If anyone was thinking of re-locating their business to Harefield, this would discourage them from it.

"I really think it is seriously impacting on the economy of the area."

Emma Tennant, a spokesperson for BT, said: "The problem is, it costs between a quarter-of-a-million to half-a-million pounds to upgrade each exchange, so it has to be worthwhile.

"Different areas are set different trigger levels according to the costs and Harefield has been set at 350 so far 146 people have registered."

She added: "We have set up a website to help people who want Broadband access in their area and we will do as much as we can."

Cllr Richard Barnes (Con, Harefield) said: "I absolutely agree that we need to have Broadband available in Harefield.

"If we are to sustain the economy of Harefield we need to be pro-active and do everything we can.

"Harefield Village Forum is holding a public launch on May 14, and this is one of the subjects on the agenda."

The public forum will be held at 7.30pm on May 14 at Harefield Infant School, High Street, Harefield

April 30, 2003 11:30