A BUSINESS owner has been unable to access a faster internet connection, despite the necessary equipment being such 50 yards from his front door.

Regan Duggan runs a new business called SuperSIPs-Southwest Ltd at the business court in Wormbridge, which manufactures Structural Insulated Panels for buildings.

He was pleased when he found out that Fastershire was being rolled out to his area, as the project extends fibre coverage across the county which means faster internet speeds.

Openreach, a subsidiary of BT, looks after the fibres, wires and cables that connect businesses and homes to the faster internet.

Mr Duggan said: "Openreach have put in a fibre-optic box which is 50 yards from our front door. The box has gone live but only three or four people can connect to it.

"My dilemma is this. I rang BT up and they said they can't connect me as I am not registered on the box. They told me to speak to Openreach. But I can't speak to Openreach as I am just the general public at the end of the phone.

"Everyone sends me around in circles."

When he spotted a BT engineer at the box, Mr Duggan went to speak to him and the engineer told him that Mr Duggan's phone line is connected to the fibre-optic box but he needs the go-ahead from BT to make it go live.

Mr Duggan said out of 225 people, only four people can connect to it.

He added: "I am trying to grow my business. I have just taken on a couple of employees. The business is internet- based.

"It is more like Slowershire than Fastershire."

An Openreach spokesman said: “We’re going to take a closer look at the situation in Wormbridge and will be in touch with Mr Duggan shortly.

"More than 80 percent of homes and businesses across Herefordshire already have access to superfast broadband.

"For those still to be connected, there are a number of options available. Either contact the local council to see if they have further funding earmarked for the Fastershire programme. Or speak with Openreach to explore the possibility of working directly with us through a Community Fibre Partnership."

Communities can provide money towards faster internet connection. However, it is important you check with Fastershire first before agreeing to a scheme as the community might already be in the current or future Fastershire programme.