Important news about Better Broadband in Ashendon

Dear Parishioners,

Provided we can raise the funds, we will have Fibre to the Cabinet Super-Fast Broadband installed, by BT Openreach, before 17th March 2018.

New cable and additional cabinets, will deliver up to 80 Mbs (compared to <2 Mbs we currently achieve with BT) to the entire village including Lower and Upper Pollicott. The minimum forecast speed at the properties furthest from the cabinets is 37.1 Mbs. Indicative Estimated Broadband speeds are attached.

BT Openreach will do this at a shared cost through the BT Community Fibre Partnership.

Before we enter a contractual agreement Ashendon must raise £34,594 ideally by the end of April 2017 (in addition to the £31,150 secured from the Better Broadband Vouchers Scheme).

Despite the cost, Ashendon Parish Council believes this is the best option for our village. It will provide us with a mainstream, future-proof, upgradable, sustainable solution with access to the full spectrum of internet service providers to suit all customer needs.

As a community we have a history of outstanding funding successes including: purchase of the Playing Fields, building the Pavilion, renovating/extending the Village Hall and installation of the MUGA. These were all achieved with loans, grants and donations and were all significantly more than the cost of installing this essential utility that offers many benefits to every member of the community.

The Parish Council-led Broadband Working Group are already following up on identified sources of funding, and have just secured a first grant of £6,000. We would welcome any suggestions and/or contributions from anyone else in the community.

We are currently setting up a facility via which any pledges can be made. Details will follow as soon as this is available.

Questions and Answers for Better Broadband in Ashendon are attached.

I take the opportunity to thank the Working Group for getting us to this point. We are now reliant on grant funding and community support to get through the final hurdle.

Kevin Nash, Chair

Ashendon Parish Council