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.