Broadband boost for Worcestershire village welcomed by local MP
Around 235 homes and businesses in the village of Charlton, near Evesham, can now access full fibre broadband.
The new fibre network was possible thanks to the hard work of Openreach engineers, in partnership with Worcestershire County Council.
Nigel Huddleston, the MP for mid-Worcestershire, joined residents to celebrate, and heard how slow broadband was already a thing of the past, with speeds of up to 1GB now available from a wide choice of broadband providers.
Full fibre is the UK's most reliable[1] broadband technology, so people will experience a lot less buffering and slowdown at busier times.
Nigel Huddleston, MP for Mid-Worcestershire, said: “Connecting rural communities is a major step forward in the digital infrastructure of Mid Worcestershire. Being such a rural constituency, I know just how many of my constituents will benefit from full fibre broadband. This could not be more true for residents of communities like Charlton, and I am pleased to see the Government's commitment to these rural areas through the Project Gigabit Voucher Scheme."
Charlton is one of a number of areas across Worcestershire where Openreach is making full fibre available. People living there can now enjoy online services and entertainment, with seamless streaming.
Martin Williams, Openreach’s Regional Director, said: “It was clear from the outset that this community really wanted fibre broadband and they rallied together to make it happen. I’d like to thank our engineers and the local community for their help in making things run as smoothly as possible. It was good to go there and hear about the difference our work is making.
“Our investment across the region continues at pace with more than 120,000 homes and businesses across Worcestershire already able to connect to Openreach’s full fibre network.”
The community also benefitted from Worcestershire County Council’s voucher top-up funding, which went a long way to support the successful completion of the project.
Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills said: “Our digital infrastructure has been transformed through a combination of private and public investment to futureproof the Worcestershire network. This is particularly evident in rural areas like Charlton, bringing huge benefits to both residents and businesses.
“I am proud to be able to share this occasion with the local MP, allowing him to see firsthand, the value the improvements are bringing to residents and businesses enabling them to embrace modern digital services and the opportunities that come with it.”
People living in Worcestershire can check if they can get full fibre by visiting openreach.com or Worcestershire County Council’s website for information about digital connectivity.
[1] UK’s most reliable broadband technology: Ofcom UK Home Broadband Performance report September 2023.”
