FASTER access to the internet will be coming to Runcorn and Widnes by summer 2015.

Manor Park, Moore and Hale have all been included on a latest map published this week showing where high-speed internet will be coming to next.

The £28.5million deal between BT and Halton Borough Council, as well as thre other Cheshire partner councils, will bring fibre broadband to 96 per cent of the county.

Clr Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council, on behalf of the Connecting Cheshire Partnership, said: “Superfast broadband will open the doors to countless business and bring social benefits.

“It will make it easier for businesses to connect with customers and it will also help children with their homework.

“Fibre broadband is vital in helping local businesses to be competitive and ensuring that they stay here. It can also play an important role in attracting companies to Cheshire, helping to create even more jobs for local people.”

Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Next Generation Access, said: “We’ve made great progress planning our network for Cheshire but, with a programme of this size, it’s not possible to upgrade every area at the same time and, sadly, not all exchange areas will become live on the same date.

“So please bear with us – we are going to be working as fast as we can to bring more fibre to more people over the next two years.”

Many areas in Widnes and Runcorn can already access commercial fibre broadband. The new programme means average download speeds will rise from 16Mbps to 80Mbps.

Residents and businesses can check the map by visiting connectingcheshire.org.uk/check-availability to find out more.