APPALLED parish councillors have urged district leaders to not turn their backs on plans for superfast broadband.

Earlier this month the Standard revealed Maldon District Council was set to rip up a deal to invest £45,000 in improving internet speeds across the district.

Woodham Walter Parish Council has now written to all district councillors urging them to not renege on the investment.

The letter, from clerk Jacky Bannerman, which has been seen by the Standard, said: “Councillors are appalled that the committee has recommended to the full council that the funding should be withdrawn to the detriment of rural areas including Woodham Walter.Many rural areas of the district including Woodham Walter are at a considerable disadvantage from business to individuals and school children with the very poor speeds, which are available.

“Do Maldon District Councillors realise that speeds in rural areas on average vary from 0.5Mbps and rarely exceed 2Mbps? This is inadequate to even shop online let along study or run a business.”

The district council had committed to co-fund part of the second phase of the Superfast Essex Broadband rollout with County Hall.

The £10 million programme will bring download speeds of more than 30Mbps.

But the council’s finance committee branded the scheme “a farce” and said it would rolled out with or without the council’s cash.

A final decision will be made by full council next month.

Mrs Bannerman’s latter added they feared Maldon would be put to the back of the queue. It added: “In addition it is likely to blight rural areas making

them second-class technology zones.

“The withdrawal of funding will not only damage the reputation and integrity of Maldon District Council in financial matters to the wider region but also to the residents in the more rural areas of the district.”

David Sismey, chairman of the district council’s finance committee, said: “We were one of a very small number of district councils which offered to contribute to Essex County Council’s project in order to deliver superfast broadband more quickly in the district.

“Unfortunately, the latest evidence we received showed the project falling well behind schedule and delivering lower levels of connections than other districts that had not offered to contribute. On that basis, we clearly could not proceed.

“This was a unanimous recommendation across the political groups on the committee. If parish councils disagree with our analysis they are obviously able to make their own arrangements with Essex County Council.”