Thursday, 1 September 2016

Broadband in Hesleden and Castle Eden: Our contact with BT

For some time now we have been posting regular updates on this site about developments with the Digital Durham broadband roll-out programme, and particularly about some of the issues affecting a few of the villages in our ward.

This year we've received a significant number of complaints from local businesses and residents about delays to the roll-out of broadband, especially in High Hesleden, Hesleden and Castle Eden (please see posts dated Monday 18 January, Thursday 24 March & Sunday 31 July for background information). 



As a result of our recent enquiries on behalf of residents and businesses it appears that poor broadband connection speeds in these villages are caused by a delay in the fibre upgrade of Cabinet 9 in Wellfield, which is part of BT's own commercial programme and as such beyond the remit of the wider Digital Durham project.

Clearly this is unfair and unacceptable, especially when it is considered that many residents in our rural villages rely on broadband speeds to maintain contact with friends and family, make their usual day-to-day arrangements or in many cases run their businesses.

As we suggested we would in our most recent report we have now written to the Regional Director of BT Group to ask for further details about BT's commercial programme, and specifically for an indication of when broadband speeds will be improved for the people of High Hesleden, Hesleden and Castle Eden. 

We have published our correspondence in full below and as soon as we receive a response from BT we will report on progress:


As local members of Durham County Council for the Blackhall Division (which includes the settlements of High Hesleden, Hesleden and Castle Eden) Cllr Lynn Pounder and I have received a significant number of queries and complaints from residents recently relating to the slow speed of broadband provision in their villages.

Many complaints come from residents frustrated at the extremely low connection speeds at these locations, but we have also been contacted by several local businesses - mostly SME’s dependent on high speed connections - who report that they are struggling to manage their day to day business transactions because of the same problem. 

In the current competitive business climate we find this unfortunate and unacceptable, and we fear that thriving companies providing vital local employment - along with the viability of our communities - may eventually be put at risk if this problem is not resolved as a matter of urgency.

We understand that broadband currently provided in those villages is reliant on Cabinet 9 at Wellfield which has not been upgraded to fibre. We are also advised that responsibility for upgrading this cabinet is part of BT’s commercial programme, and thereby beyond the scope of the Digital Durham scheme.

We would be grateful if you could give a little more information about BT’s commercial programme, along with an indication of when Cabinet 9 at Wellfield is scheduled for upgrade. Finally, to ensure the sustainability of our local businesses and communities, we would appeal to BT to consider upgrading Cabinet 9 at Wellfield without delay.

If you feel it would be helpful we would be happy to meet you to discuss this matter further.