Oxfordshire LEP 'needs to focus on better broadband for SMEs'

More attention needs to be given to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oxford to enable them to grow, with transport and broadband issues among the most important that need ironing out, according to the President of the local Chamber of Commerce.

This is the opinion of Bob Bradley, who is calling on the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to ensure all workers in the county can get to their workplace easily, as well as being able to access fibre broadband to enhance their productivity, the Oxford Times reports.

Mr Bradley explained: "[The LEP] needs to look after local businesses more by removing barriers such as transport and broadband issues.

"Things like 'Can I get to work on time?' or 'Have I got broadband of a decent speed?' - that's what's important."

In response to Mr Bradley, the Oxfordshire LEP said it is working with local councils to look at how fibre broadband can be brought to the more rural parts of the county, adding that with regard to transport links, significant improvements have been made to Didcot Parkway train station in recent years.

SMEs are one of the biggest contributors to the county's economy, hence Mr Bradley's concerns.