Bradford is to receive millions of pounds of assistance to provide ultrafast broadband to key business areas in the district, the Government announced today.

In March, Bradford and Leeds were provisionally accepted on to the Super Connected Cities programme which would attract Government funding of between £10 and £15 million.

A full business case was submitted by the two authorities and now it has been confirmed that £14.4 million will be invested in the cities’ broadband capabilities. The scheme is intended to provide speeds of 100Mbps or more to all premises within the core area – which is both city centres, out towards Shipley and the transport corridor into Bradford, as well as the Aire Valley.

Bradford Council leader David Green, told the Telegraph & Argus: “What we hope it will do is to support the ongoing work we are doing in attracting investment and creating jobs – that’s the most important thing that the proposals will bring to the district.

“We know that businesses in the 21st century are reliant on high-speed broadband and look for that facility when making investment decisions. Our major aim is to use this as a platform to attract major investment to the Bradford district.”

It will offer high-tech and digital companies the infrastructure they need, allowing the cities to compete for business, investment and jobs.

In addition, it offers free city centre wireless service, wireless connectivity for passengers on trains and buses between Bradford and Leeds, and wireless community hubs focusing on libraries.

The Leeds and Bradford project joins the four UK capitals, Birmingham, Newcastle and Manchester in sharing a £114 million fund.

It is expected that the project will be fully completed by March 2015.

Val Summerscales, of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said that it was very good news for businesses and was to be welcomed.