WITH more people working from home during the pandemic, concerns have been raised over poor broadband connectivity.

Hannah Blythyn, Member of the Senedd for Delyn, has launched a survey to collect views from constituents and businesses about their broadband services across Western Flintshire.

The survey asks a number of questions around download speeds and broadband providers, which will provide the MS with a better understanding of the situation in the constituency. Running throughout August, constituents are encouraged to visit http://www.hannahblythyn.cymru/broadband-survey/ to participate in the survey and share their experiences.

Hannah Blythyn MS said: “Many of us have had to adapt to working from home in recent months but to be able to do so, we need the infrastructure to work. Constituents from across Delyn have been in touch to raise concerns about their broadband service being poor, and I want to know the extent of the problem we face.”

The Delyn constituency has an average download speed which is approximately 12 points below the Welsh average and a staggering 23 points below the UK average. Several areas of the constituency, such as Holywell, Nannerch and Caerwys, are amongst the worst 10 per cent in the UK for download speeds, where as a large number of other areas fall into the worst 30 per cent.

Whilst responsibility for broadband services remain with the UK Government, the Welsh Government has been working to improve digital connectivity across Wales.

Making market interventions such as the Superfast Cymru programme, which to date has benefited over 733,000 properties in communities across the country. In the next set of improvement works, around 2,000 properties in Flintshire have been identified as being eligible for the support.

In addition to the Superfast Cymru programme, the Welsh Government has also been improving connectivity through the Access Broadband Cymru scheme, which financially supports properties to receive the necessary connection improvements for better broadband speed.

Ms Blythyn added: "There is lots of work being done across Wales to improve broadband connectivity thanks to the Welsh Government, and I want to make sure that residents across Delyn are able to access the improvements on offer.

"Broadband has become another essential utility for every household and needs to be treated as such by the UK Government.

"That is why we need further investment from the UK Government to improve the infrastructure in North Wales to allow residents to access broadband speeds fit for the 21st century.”

If constituents would like to raise concerns directly with Ms Blythyn about their broadband or any other issues, they are encouraged to contact her directly on 01352 762102 or at Hannah.Blythyn@senedd.wales.