THE New Year has brought some good news for a West Devon village, after residents finally received broadband connection.

Since October 2008, the community of Northlew has been trying to get a connection in their village, which has experienced continuous delays over the installation of the digital cable and funding.

Earlier this month Devon County Council stepped in and closed Crowden Road in Northlew for three days to allow for the cable to be laid.

Director of Northlew Community Broadband Project, Christopher Marson, said: 'I shall be singing the praises of Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council for many years to come.

'This project is of course a small cog in a big wheel of funding and installation across Devon.

'We need to and are showing the whole country how forward thinking this borough is — a shining example of best practice and how we can pull together and make things happen from the community — right the way up to the chief executive we have shown there is no such word as can't.'

Earlier this year Devon County Council was asking businesses and communities across the county to recount their experience of internet connection, in order to map broadband access across the county to pinpoint areas with no or poor broadband coverage.

Devon County Council cabinet member for economic regeneration and strategic planning, Cllr William Mumford, said: 'I'm delighted that we've been able to respond to this call for help from people in Northlew.

'A fast internet connection is absolutely essential for rural businesses and communities, and it's vital for the future of our local economy.

'Northlew is the latest example of where a local community has pulled together to ensure they have access to broadband, and this moves us closer towards our aim of 100% broadband coverage across Devon.'

Leader of West Devon Borough Council and Devon County councillor for Hatherleigh and Chagford, Cllr James McInnes, said: 'This is a key project for Northlew. It will benefit many businesses and residents in the area.

'Rural communities are feeling cut off from the outside world and this is a fine example of how communities can make a difference with targeted grant funding.

'The whole community have raised a considerable financial contribution to this project and had much fun and enjoyment in the village in the process.'

The government wants every household in Britain to receive a 2Mbps broadband service by 2012, currently up to 20% of broadband lines in the South West receive less than 2Mbps.