Campaigner questions BT super-fast broadband plan

A campaigner who wants high-speed broadband in Bradley Stoke near Bristol has "questioned the logic" of BT's roll-out plan.

Despite a campaign for the service, Almondsbury, the exchange which covers most of the town, has been left out of the latest batch to be upgraded.

Stephen Horton said broadband there was "worse than the rest of the country".

John Reynolds from BT said they were happy to "continue discussions" with residents and councils.

On Thursday, the telecoms firm announced exchanges at Filton and Winterbourne will get the new service in 2012.

Both exchanges neighbour Bradley Stoke with the Filton exchange covering some of the town.

But many of the residents who suffer problems get their broadband from the Almonsbury exchange.

In a recent national competition organised by BT, the exchange was listed 20th in the UK for demand for the new service.

Mr Horton led the campaign with leaflets delivered to many houses in the town.

Mr Reynolds said BT would now look to the council for help.

"[We'll talk to] South Gloucestershire Council to see if there are some plans to perhaps accelerate the roll-out more in the local area."

He added that it was possible that Almondsbury could be included in roll-out plans later in the year.

"We could certainly explore how that could happen but we would have to work with all the local parties to look at that," he said.

"[BT will] continue to monitor the demand and further announcements on this roll-out plan will be made in the summer."