A SCHEME to make towns across Teignbridge more attractive by installing free wi-fi has won the backing of district councillors.

Members of Teignbridge Council scrutinised a draft economic development plan on Monday morning and agreed to send it out for a public consultation.

Proposals in the blueprint include installing free public wi-fi into Newton Abbot, Teignmouth and Dawlish town centres by early 2019.

The internet venture could also be extended to Ashburton, Bovey Tracey and Buckfastleigh if it proves successful and generates income for the district council.

Other plans to boost the district’s economy includes increasing the trading time for businesses and working with schools and colleges to encourage apprenticeships in a bid to bump up the skill levels.

The plan also sets out a potential project to create a new town centre development manager to cover Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, Chudleigh and Moretonhampstead.

Plans are afoot to maintain Teignbridge’s markets and pop-up shops to allow entrepreneurs to test their goods and see if there is much appetite for their products.

Cllr Richard Keeling, chairman of the economic development review group, told the meeting: ‘The review councillors undertook on the plan for the next five years until 2023, sets out a direction that was inline with the council’s 10 year strategy, given the previous plan was over ambitious and did not hit targets.

‘This plan will address needs with the public consultation.’

The Chudleigh member added: ‘Councillors early on in the process highlighted the need for improving broadband quality, introducing free wi-fi in our towns and supporting employment sites and delivery.’

A public consultation is set to run throughout May and June this year before a final version of the plan is reviewed by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee in September 2018.