More than 30 villages and towns in rural parts of Lancashire are set to receive faster broadband as part of a government-backed upgrade.
Project Gigabit will see more reliable, full-fibre connections installed in dozens of ‘hard-to-reach’ areas in the county that might otherwise have been left behind.
The move – part of a nationwide initiative – has been welcomed by one Lancashire business group, which described it as “essential” for firms based in places that have traditionally struggled with slow internet.
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The government says what it describes as a “once-in-a-generation” improvement will not only boost businesses, but also enable households to connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds.
The scheme is being delivered by Openreach and is expected to next arrive in: Bashall Eaves, Belmont, Blacko, Briercliffe, Clayton-le-Dale, Clitheroe, Great Harwood, Hesketh Bank, Holcombe, Hundred End, Hutton, Inskip, Longton, Mere Brow, Nateby, Oswaldtwistle, Pendleton, Pleasington, Scarisbrick, Scorton, Southfield, Tarleton, Tockholes, Turton, Waddington, West Bradford, Whalley, Whalley Banks and Whittle‑le‑Woods – as well as the rural fringes of Leyland and Ormskirk.
An address checker has also been created for households and business owners to see whether their home or company premises is covered by high-speed broadband rollout plans – either through Project Gigabit or the telecoms industry’s own commercial work.
The Lancashire Growth Plan, adopted last year by the Lancashire Combined County Authority devolution body, lists “digital connectivity” – and specifically the percentage of the county with access to high-speed internet – as one of the measures by which its progress and success will be judged.
The strategy also envisions the expansion of broadband coverage “to support remote and hybrid working” as a way of reducing economic inactivity amongst residents and improving public services.
Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service about Project Gigabit, Nick Hyde, policy manager for the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said: “High-speed broadband is essential for businesses across Lancashire. In an age where the majority of business decisions are made online, having the tools in place for faster and efficient digital services is of paramount importance.
“Having a more streamlined way of doing business and working to serve the needs of organisations across the county is something the Chamber supports – and [it] should be available for all in order for the Lancashire economy to grow and prosper.”
Meanwhile, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce CEO Professor Miranda Barker said of the initiative: “Lancashire’s 52,000 businesses rely on decent connectivity to run their firms – many are global leaders in advanced manufacturing and innovation, but are often doing this across large swathes of Lancashire with slow and frequently intermittent broadband services.
“[They have] real concern about what will happen when the government terminates 3G. We are all strongly in support of this project and welcome its delivery.”
UK telecoms minister Liz Lloyd added: “Whether it’s families streaming together, farmers being able to use new technology, or businesses reaching more customers online, this upgrade creates real opportunities for communities across Lancashire.
“Through our Project Gigabit rollout, we’re making sure people across the UK can benefit from the digital world, no matter where they live, and now through our new address checker people can quickly see when seamless full fibre broadband will reach their area.”
The government has so far signed £745m worth of contracts with Openreach as part of Project Gigabit and says the investment is set to benefit more than 297,000 premises across the UK. An additional £455m is available from the government’s coffers to further help bridge the digital divide, it says.
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