CHIPPING Sodbury is set to benefit from superfast broadband as part of a £2.5billion expansion programme announced by BT.

The company is rolling out its fibre broadband service to a further 113,000 homes and business in the South West, including in Chipping Sodbury, Fishponds and Bradford-on-Avon.

The high-speed technology will become available by spring 2013, taking the number of homes and businesses in the region with access to the new superfast network to nearly 1.25 million.

Jon Reynolds, BT’s South West regional director, said: "Our roll-out of fibre broadband is going from strength to strength. "In these tough economic times, this exciting technology will give a big boost to local businesses and households. Sophisticated communications are the lifeblood of any successful community.

"Super-fast broadband can give our businesses a significant competitive edge, helping them save money and improve their services at the same time.

"Fibre broadband also has the potential to change the face of public services and revolutionise entertainment at home. Local families will be able to experience entertainment, shopping and a myriad of services delivered the super-fast way."

Welcoming the announcement, Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb, who has campaigned for better broadband speeds across the district, said: "It is good news that the first major telephone exchange in my constituency is to be upgraded for superfast broadband. "I have been lobbying BT hard and am also pressing Government ministers for extra support for our area, so this is a real breakthrough."

He added: "Whilst some households in the area have access to high-speed broadband through cable services, many do not, and this is therefore a very welcome development. "We now need to build on this start to make sure that the many smaller towns and villages in our area get to share in high-speed internet connections as soon as possible."

In January, South Gloucestershire Council agreed a £2million package to increase broadband speeds in the district in a pioneering project with Wiltshire Council and Broadband Delivery UK. The main aim is to connect rural areas which currently have very limited access to broadband.