Radcliffe on Trent has been named as one of a number of Nottinghamshire villages set to receive Gigabit broadband.
Ruth Edwards, Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe, has expressed her satisfaction with the recent announcement from the Government regarding the inclusion of rural villages in Rushcliffe in the latest rollout of Project Gigabit.
This initiative aims to bring gigabit broadband connections to areas previously lacking adequate internet infrastructure.
Gigabit broadband refers to internet connections capable of delivering data at speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second, significantly faster than traditional broadband. It enables quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and supports bandwidth-intensive activities such as gaming and video conferencing with ease.
The decision comes as a result of a vigorous campaign led by MP Ruth Edwards and local councillors, highlighting the pressing need for improved broadband access in rural communities. The absence of reliable broadband has been a major concern for residents, particularly as reliance on online services and remote working continues to grow.
For Ruth Edwards, advocating for better broadband has been a longstanding priority. Since 2019, she has consistently raised the issue on behalf of constituents, particularly focusing on ‘not spot’ areas where broadband service has been notably deficient.
Her efforts have included meetings with broadband providers, Building Digital UK (BDUK), the entity overseeing the Government’s Project Gigabit program, and various government ministers.
Project Gigabit, a government initiative, targets areas where commercial providers are reluctant to invest due to high costs. Since its inception, the program has significantly expanded broadband coverage nationwide, increasing from 6% to 80% since 2019. While Rushcliffe already boasts an impressive 83% coverage rate, certain rural pockets within the constituency still lack adequate connectivity.
The inclusion of rural villages in Rushcliffe in the latest phase of Project Gigabit represents a significant step forward in addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to essential online services for all residents. With this development, Ruth Edwards and local stakeholders are optimistic about the positive impact on the community’s connectivity and overall quality of life.
All of the following villages are set to receive the high speed broadband:
- Tithby
- Cropwell Bishop
- Cropwell Butler
- Kinoulton
- Widmerpool
- Bunny
- Gotham
- Barton-in-Fabis
- Colston Bassett
- Upper Broughton
- Barnstone
- Langar
- Sutton Bonnington
Speaking to West Bridgford Wire, Ruth Edwards said: “It is fantastic to see that our hard work in collecting the data and meeting with ministers has paid off, and we now be able to deliver faster internet to rural communities over the coming years.
“I know how essential good internet access is for work and leisure, so I will continue to push for other ‘not spots’ to have broadband solutions and to speed up some of the rollout dates in the current plans. If you can’t get a decent connection speed, please write to me and I will add you to our database.”
