AN URGENT rallying call has gone out to a South Lakes community to sign up for hyper fast broadband or lose a golden opportunity at its peril.
Witherslack residents are being urged to support an offer from Broadband for Rural North Ltd – B4RN – to bring network speeds of 1,000mbps to the parish, but only if 65 percent of its population and 90 percent of businesses back the scheme.
B4RN is a not for profit organisation with an ethos of community self-help, which fits well with the spirit of Witherslack, according to resident Steve Ratcliffe.
He explained: “We are a very close-knit village with a community shop, pub, two schools and go the extra distance to help each other. It is exactly this sort of commitment we now need as we galvanise our people to go with a project that will ultimately benefit each and every one of us.
“We have the backing of businesses and Witherslack estate, but need every household who uses the internet to back this ambitious plan.”
Mr Ratcliffe said he hoped the village would turn out in force on Wednesday, June 26 when B4RN representatives will test support.
He added: “Every household will be targeted with leaflets before that date in a bid to get as many people as possible to the meeting.”
“We really do need a big turn-out. This is literally a call to arms to the entire parish as many of us are genuinely concerned that the survival of the community as we know it is at stake.”
“We simply mustn’t be complacent. We can’t risk a way of life we love by not getting involved; it’s our present and our future. Many lives will come to depend on the incredible speeds B4RN promises and a number of communities already enjoy.”
The June 26 meeting at Witherslack village hall starts at 7pm.
Register interest at:
www.witherslackb4rn.org.uk/register
Email queries on: [email protected]
