Connected to net – at last
SUPERFAST BROADBAND FINALLY COMES TO RURAL VILLAGE... BUT WORK LEFT HALF FINISHED
AGWYNEDD village, blighted by broken promises and lapsed deadlines, has finally been connected to superfast broadband following campaigning work by residents.
Businesses and residents in Rhydymain near Dolgellau were promised they would be connected to a superfast broadband service on at least 12 separate occasions.
But work was put on hold after BT Openreach failed to complete the work within their contract agreement with Welsh Government, with cables left dangling from telegraph poles.
Businessman Mike Kirwin, who played a leading role in the villagers’ campaign, welcomed the arrival of the new service but warned the campaign will continue until the work is completely finished.
He said: “Openreach have finally delivered a small fraction of what they promised, to upgrade our 20th Century infrastructure.
“They had clearly identified the scope and scale of the works required from multiple site surveys years ago.
“So, it’s incredibly disappointing that they then decided to backtrack at the last moment from their multiple assurances, that 21st Century services would be available locally.’
“They did manage to upgrade a single point within a 10-mile stretch of the Wnion valley, which is great for those in close proximity.
“But this simply isn’t fit for purpose for anyone else in the area.
“Their half-finished work is everywhere to be seen, from a completely empty new street cabinet in Brithdir, pointless cables dangling from telegraph poles and spools of fibre tubing that have sat outside the Rhydymain Exchange for nearly four years now.”
Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts took up several cases in the area and made repeated representations to both BT Openreach and Welsh Government, urging them to deliver the roll out of superfast broadband without further delay.
Mrs Roberts said: “I am pleased that, after years of lapsed deadlines and broken promises, the village of Rhydymain in Meirionnydd has finally been connected to superfast broadband, much to the relief of local residents and businesses.
“I repeatedly raised the plight of Rhydymain residents with both BT and Welsh Government, following empty assurances that work to bring superfast broadband to the village was on track.
“The situation was compounded when BT Openreach’s contract with the Welsh Government expired, leaving the local community uncertain as to what was happening. And they were endlessly fobbed off.
“The internet plays a vital role in people’s lives. Children needed it for school, parents needed it for work, and businesses needed it to function, yet the service in some of our rural areas remains unacceptable.”