Around 45,000 people across rural Cambridgeshire are set to see an improvement in their broadband thanks to a new multi-million-pound agreement as part of Project Gigabit.

The £69m contract with the full fibre builder CityFibre is aimed at supporting villages and hamlets around Ely, Newmarket, Royston, Huntingdon and other areas.

The contract, one of the largest to date under the Government’s £5bn project to improve the internet connection in hard-to-reach areas, will unlock a further £53m commercial investment from CityFibre to expand their network.

Cllr Lorna Dupré, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Environment and Green Investment Committee, said: ‘Improved digital infrastructure is crucial for our county and given the significant economic and social benefits for Cambridgeshire I am delighted that we are among the first areas in the country to benefit from the Government’s Project Gigabit funding.

‘Access to fast, reliable internet connectivity should no longer be a luxury. It is a basic necessity for all our residents, local businesses and the delivery of public services This initiative will greatly enhance the region’s digital infrastructure and support economic growth, education and innovation.’

Digital infrastructure minister Julia Lopez said: ‘Thanks to our record-breaking roll out Project Gigabit, rural homes and businesses across Cambridgeshire can be confident they won’t be left behind in the upgrade to top-of-the-range gigabit broadband.

‘This landmark deal with CityFibre will help deliver the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy by ensuring the county’s pioneering science and tech industries can unleash their full potential with lightning-quick connectivity, whether in the city or the countryside.’