A community group is expecting a “change of Government policy” that will mean broadband projects in Cumbria can now go ahead.
Not-for-profit company B4RN, which aims to provide affordable and fast broadband to rural communities, was left fearing for its future after projects in Cumbria looked set to lose access to gigabit vouchers after September 24.
A campaign was then started by B4RN and a parliamentary debate was called by South Lakes MP Tim Farron.
The debate secured changes to plans which would have seen voucher funding for B4RN projects paused.
The new introduction of ‘Voucher Priority Areas’ means many B4RN projects in Cumbria and Northumberland will now go ahead, and will still be eligible for gigabit voucher funding.
B4RN CEO Michael Lee said: “DCMS and the new Digital Minister, Julia Lopez, have listened.
“Getting government policy changed is a rare thing and I thank everyone who backed the campaign.
“The Government are still ironing out exactly where the ‘Voucher Priority Areas’ will be. Once we have this information, we’ll be able to confirm the good news to many of our volunteer groups in Cumbria and Northumberland that B4RN is coming to their community.”
South Lakes MP Tim Farron added: “Following on from our debate in Parliament last month. I’m really encouraged that it looks like the Government have listened to our calls and we now have real hope for many of our local communities.
“I’ve been proud to work alongside B4RN and their wonderful volunteers in making this case to ministers, and now I’m just keeping all fingers and toes crossed that B4RN will be given the final green light to crack on with connecting as many of our local rural villages as possible with hyperfast broadband.”
Mr Farron joined pupils and students at Crosthwaite CofE Primary School this morning as they officially marked joining B4RN’s full-fibre broadband network.
The school gets its 10Gbps service for no charge, joining dozens of other community hubs getting a free B4RN service.
South Lakes MP Tim Farron said: “It was an absolute joy to visit Crosthwaite Primary to see the positive impact that being connected to hyperfast broadband has had on the pupils’ learning.
“This fantastic collaboration between B4RN and the local community in Crosthwaite will now make the village even more attractive for people to stay and bring up their family here which is really great news for the long-term future of the school.”
