More Gloucestershire UK Areas to Get Fibre Broadband via BT and BDUK

The Gloucestershire County Council and its state aid supported but comically named £56.6 million Fastershire project have announced a new batch of local communities that will soon get access to BT’s latest fibre optic based FTTC/P superfast broadband network.

The scheme, which is a joint initiative with neighbouring Herefordshire, broadly aims to help make superfast broadband (25Mbps+) services available 90% of homes and businesses in both English (UK) counties by the end of 2016 and 100% by 2018.

The roll-out itself began in March 2013 with the initial aim of connecting around 15,000 homes and businesses in the Forest of Dean area (i.e. Cinderford, Coleford, Drybrook, Longhope and Lydbrook). The first customers are expected to be connected to this new network during the early autumn 2013.

It’s now been announced that the Gloucestershire communities of Lechlade, Fairford, and South Cerney will be the next to join the above locations. Work in these areas will begin later this summer and the first customers can then expect to be connected before Christmas 2013.

Councillor Mark Hawthorne, Leader of GCC, said:

“The announcement of more communities that will benefit from faster broadband is great news for the county. This is a big job, but we are making progress and it won’t be long before we start seeing fibre cables being laid, with the first customers being able to order in just a few months.”

As previously reported the funding for this effort will come from various sources including £18.17m from the government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) office, £10.1m from Herefordshire Council, £7.5m from Gloucestershire County Council and £20.9 million from BT. Some 140,000 local premises stand to benefit.