Housing market reflects a need - buyers put off by lack of broadband (From Stroud News and Journal)

Housing market reflects a need - buyers put off by lack of broadband

HOMEBUYERS are turning their noses up at moving to Nailsworth because the town lacks a broadband connection, an estate agent has said.

Clive Murray of Murrays Estate Agents claimed people are put off moving to the area because of slow internet links.

An increasing numbers of well-heeled professionals based at home prefer places like Stroud, Cirencester or Cheltenham because they are already hooked up to the latest technology.

Mr Murray said: "More and more people are working from home, especially those who are in London for some of the week. "They are concerned at the lack of broadband."

Not having access to the speedier system is holding towns like Nailsworth back." And he added: "People complain about shops closing down - this could be one of the reasons.

"I am sure in the long term it will have an effect on property prices. "People ask about it all the time."

Mr Murray said his own business, based in Stroud, Minchinhampton and Painswick, would benefit greatly from access to the speedier system.

"We would be very keen to have it," he said.

"We have a very sophisticated computer system but the lines are really slow. "It seems very unfair."

A campaign group has been formed by Nailsworth residents in favour of broadband.

Members, who meet at an online location, argue that property prices, business people and students are all suffering because they can't access up-to-date technology.

Campaigner Peter Randall, a management consultant who works from home, said: "It isn't just business people. There are schools, colleges and other people who need it.

"Students searching for information on the internet spend an average of 35 minutes each hour just waiting for information to download.

"With broadband they could spend the whole hour learning and processing."

The benefits for business people include saving on travelling time by being able to take part in video calls.

BT requires 350 people to show an interest broadband in Nailsworth before making it available. So far 186 have signed up at www.bt.com.

Find out more about the Nailsworth broadband campaign at www.Broadband4Nailsworth.org.