Despite austerity measures biting hard, Wiltshire Council is splashing out £16 million to improve Internet access to families and businesses across the county.

Around a quarter of premises in Wiltshire can only receive broadband at up to two megabytes per second at present.

But super fast broadband would see that rise to in excess of 20mbps.

Deputy leader Coun John Thomson said improving internet access speeds was particularly important for a rural county like Wiltshire.

“This £16 million investment is excellent news for the county’s residents and businesses,” he said.

“We live in a large rural county and many communities do not have good access to broadband, let alone the next generation of super fast broadband.

“We must do all we can to support businesses so they are able to thrive and boost Wiltshire's economy.”

Wiltshire Council has set a target of giving 85 per cent of premises access to super fast broadband by 2015.

A council spokesman said: “The majority of the (£15 million) funding will be used to improve connectivity so that we can get availability to 85 per cent of premises.

“We will also use the funding to support local digital literacy projects, getting wifi in public buildings such as libraries and recycling computers for families and individuals on low incomes.”

To prioritise the areas which need it most, people across the county are being asked to fill in a survey.

The information gathered will help the council as it determines which areas have the greatest need.The council has also outlined its plans to encourage more elderly people to use online services and help provide them be more independent.

The council spokesman said: “The digital literacy part of the programme is aimed at supporting volunteers in local communities to help people get online for the first time and start to become confident users of online services for activities that are of interest and of benefit to them.”

The council is also planning to increase the number of council services that can be accessed online and further develop its website so more people can pay bills and make inquiries through the Internet.

The council claims this will increase access to services and save taxpayers’ money.

Separate surveys aimed at businesses and residents will be available until June 3 online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/digitalinclusionbroadbandsurvey or by calling 0300 456 0100.