BROADBAND speeds could improve in Crow country after residents’ telecommunication troubles were raised at a public meeting with BT.

Cambridgeshire County Councillor Linda Oliver, who spoke at the meeting, has been campaigning for improved internet service in Bassingbourn, Steeple Morden, Guilden Morden, and Whaddon for a number of years.

The representative for Bassingbourn said: “The BT meeting was really helpful from everyone’s point of view.

“We had an update on the funding mechanism which will help BT invest and improve infrastructure, and the county council is heavily involved in that.

“I will be doing my absolute best to gain some of the funding that we’re bidding for.

“The regional director explained the technical issues between fibre and other options.

“It’s very probable that the Royston through to Bassingbourn catchment infrastructure will be improved in September this year.”

The meeting, held in Whaddon, was also attended by parish council chairmen from Bassingbourn, Guilden Morden, and Whaddon.

Cllr Oliver says she cannot remember the region ever having a good connection, adding that the problems are making “life very complicated”.

“The problem is so frustrating. Families have to upload their government returns via the internet, and slow broadband rates make the line break off ,” she said.

“Businesses complete VAT returns online and you need the internet to do background research.”

“I can’t remember Bassingbourn ever having a good connection.

“It’s pretty spasmodic. A lot of the problems stem from the distance to the local box, and it’s the infrastructure that BT needs to improve.”

However BT says it is looking into the individual complaints and will see if there are any improvements that can be made.

A spokesman for the company said: “We met Councillor Linda Oliver to have a full discussion around current and future broadband deployments in the area.

“We have also agreed that we will look into the individual complaints regarding broadband problems that have been made to the councillor.

“We will investigate each case and see if there is anything that can be done to improve the broadband experience of those who are having issues in the area.”