New methods have been seized upon by Liverpool’s electronic Netherly Valley (eNV) in the quest for increased internet access for the community. They have furnished a van with a satellite wireless connection, allowing remote internet browsing in the heart of the city. An lorry or bus was considered initially, however the cost was found to be prohibitive. eNV aim to make the van a welcoming, non-traditional venue for IT use that will not scare people off with bad memories of the school classroom.

The van will provide people with email access, and has been used by local groups attempting the research of Liverpool history and at fun days to explore issues of health and society. Job-seekers are also a target audience. Samantha McDonough of eNV, said ‘the number of people using the van has more than doubled over the last 6 months alone – we hope to build upon this success and expand our service across the whole of Liverpool’.

Why a council, six months or more after the launch of the project, should now attempt to publicise it is another matter.