Fed up with slow Broadband ?

[Alison Tingley]

As part of its ongoing push to improve broadband access and speeds across the county West Sussex County Council are urging businesses and individuals to complete their register of demand. If you have not already done so go to http://www.westsussex-betterconnected.org.uk/  or if you are unable to access it call 01243 752018.

The level of demand impacts on the commercical viability of and therefore the level of investment in broadband infrastructure.  It is therefore vital that as many people register as possible if we are to attract private investment into the National Park and other rural areas of West Sussex

[Ian Brodrick]

The redactions are of concern.  Firstly, the forum needs to open about redactions. Secondly, I would point out that the phrases are hardly offensive! Heavens above!

There is a risk of making these tough discussions so polite and pallid as to fail in their purpose.  That is exactly the failing of government in these matters for the last 30 years. No one has been prepared to tell it as it is - the result has been we are now 10 years behind Germany and Sweden for instance in Telecoms, just for instance!

Obviously the National Park has to keep the major players on board - but then what's the point of any discussion at all?  Certainly a waste of my time!

The redactions concern and explain BT's internal culture  - its existence and its nature.  It's an oft discussed matter in the press for instance and nothing new at all.

I do think we need an independant forum for the National Park and its issues, which isn't subject to "house rules" which lead the issues being sanitised and not discussed as they are, in real life.  

I here propose an Independent forum, not governed by the problems of being local government, which is what the National Park authority is!

[Ian Brodrick]

One of our members points out that amongst the worst offenders - in terms of failure to enforce rules and regulations - and even collusion with BT and SSE in the destruction of the ancient tree stock, and indeed other important Heritage feaures - are the County and Local Authority! (HCC Roads and EHDC Environment Officers).  

We know complaints have not been processed,ignored and refused. We know of Officers who have made up stories to cover for BT (seriously, correspondence available) and otherwise of numerous normal actions not taken despite concerns and complaints! 

Obviously bearing in mind the management of the forum, we think there is no way to bring up those issues here.  I now have to agree that there is no way the actual events can be reported to the Public of the South Downs National Park here!  

It's easy then to ask what then is the point of the forum? ...and now rather than discuss the actual vital issues, the discussion is about the forum!   National Park -  please do much better!  

This is the job we are paying you for....and we should not have to do it for you!

Nonetheless, and in the meanwhile we are going to look at setting up an independant forum for properly reporting and debating the destruction of the local environment by BT and other utilities, and indeed Broadband issues.  

Again, doing the Local Authorities' job....