We want the Liverpool City Region to be the most digitally connected city region in the UK and for every school, university, hospital, home and business to have ultra-fast digital connectivity.
This first ever LCR Digital Strategy and Action Plan sets out six key areas through which we will jointly deliver change.
To drive our region’s economic growth and achieve our goal of becoming the most digitally connected city region in the UK, we have developed an action plan.
It is not just about broadband – it is about digital in all of its forms, from fibre to 5G.
We are looking at how we can be smarter to ensure that our policies on housing, transport, skills and energy can support digital connectivity to benefit everyone who lives and works in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Ultrafast connectivity will supercharge our city region and transform how we all work, live and play. This means our region will be able to attract major new companies, industries and jobs, generating £1 billion for our local economy.
Improving the city region’s connectivity is not just good for us. As well as connecting our communities, reducing our dependence on London’s infrastructure will boost the country’s resilience and contribute to businesses across the UK.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has officially launched LCR Connect – a 212km full-fibre, ultrafast, gigabit-capable network spanning the Liverpool City Region.
LCR Connect will help make the Liverpool City Region the most digitally connected area in the UK and ultimately lead to a £1 billion boost to the local economy.
Work has now begun on a 212km full-fibre, gigabit-capable network infrastructure, capable of delivering speeds of 1,000mbps and beyond, that will help position the city region at the head of the next digital revolution.
When complete, it will put city region businesses in prime position to lead the way in a host of growing sectors, from health and life sciences to Artificial Intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
LCR Connect is a £30m joint venture, 50%-owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, led by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, in partnership with North West-based ITS Technology Group, who will lead the project, working alongside construction partner NGE, who are managing the build and roll out of the network.
Project Gigabit – Public Review Launch in Merseyside and Greater Manchester
The government’s ambition is to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to everyone in the UK and it is investing £5 billion in Project Gigabit to ensure that hard-to-reach communities are not left out. Building Digital UK (BDUK) is carrying out a Public Review to help identify areas in Merseyside and Greater Manchester that may be suitable for future public funding for gigabit-capable broadband.
BDUK is seeking information and supporting evidence from suppliers – in relation to the presence of gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure within the project area.
They wish to hear from all relevant stakeholders – including the public, businesses, internet service providers and broadband infrastructure operators – particularly in relation to the proposed mapped eligible areas.
This Public Review is now open and closes on 4th November 2022.
Find out more and respondIf you would like to learn more about our policies or are looking for guidance and procedures to get involved with our schemes then please visit our policy documents page. Our policy documents offer detailed information on the various policies.
