PRIVATE sector growth will suffer if digital connections aren't improved, says the North East Chamber of Commerce.

The NECC says the availability of high speed broadband is now as important to the region as roads, airports and railways were in the 20th Century, and without improvements, the North-east will never realise its full potential.

In a letter to all the region’s local authorities, the chamber has laid out the urgent need for investment in digital infrastructure, in order to stimulate and support private sector growth.

John Borthwick, Online Marketing Manager at Fifteen Digital at Lingfield Point, Darlington, said his business would simply not be able to compete if they didn’t have a good connection.

“It is key to our operations. As people see the high street struggling, they turn to the internet for business and we need to keep pace with that,” he said.

“We do a lot of work on internet marketing, so the 6mb we get at Lingfield Point was a factor in us moving here from Stoke. We also have to make sure we can instantly network with other companies.”

A report released by sector skills body e-Skills showed that the more effective use of technology could add some 3.8% to the North-east GVA over the next five years.

Mark Stephenson, policy adviser at NECC, said: “Digital connectivity is a real issue for many North-east businesses and we now need to see the swift implementation of policy, at a local level, to address this.

“For businesses in these areas, access to a high speed internet service will provide a much-needed boost, giving them a fighting chance of capitalising on opportunities, and growing the North-east economy.”