AM helps estate get up to speed
HUNDREDS of people living in a newly-built Aberdare housing estate with bad internet access were told to “crowdfund” money to pay for the vital infrastructure.
The homes in Coed Dyffryn, Cwmbach, were meant to have superfast broadband installed when they first moved in more than four years ago.
But those arrangements fell through, meaning around 200 homes on the estate were searching for answers from BT, builders Persimmon Homes and the Welsh Government up until last month.
They said their only response from the UK Government was to suggest Coed Dyffryn residents crowdfunded their way out of the situation to fund the much-needed equipment to be installed into an empty broadband cabinet on the estate.
After Cynon Valley AM Vikki Howells was made aware of the problem, she raised the matter with BT, Persimmon and the Welsh Government in an attempt to lobby for a solution.
On July 31, Openreach, the BT subsidiary dealing with online connectivity, told Ms Howells they had agreed to invest the money needed to complete the work to connect the cabinet, meaning Coed Dyffryn residents could expect superfast speeds of 24 megabits per second or above.
Much to the relief of people living in the area, she was told the work would be completed by the end of the year.
Grateful local resident Chris Stephens, who initially raised the matter with Ms Howells, said: “It is excellent news that an agreement with BT has finally been reached on this matter. It is a basic right to have good internet connection speeds on a brand new estate and the level of resistance and ignorance to residents’ complaints, over the years, has been unacceptable.
“It is very sad that action was only taken when the issue was raised at a higher level.
“The news is welcome but we do hope that the work will be done quickly and without any further delay.”
Ms Howells said: “Dozens of residents of Coed Dyffryn have got in touch with me to say that lack of adequate broadband at their brand new housing estate has impacted on their ability to work, study or relax from home.
“This was made all the more frustrating due to the empty cabinet on the estate. I therefore welcome BT’s announcement that it will connect the cabinet to give residents the access they should be able to expect.
“I have also asked the Welsh Government what we can do to make sure problems like this do not occur again, and new housing estates are properly supplied with relevant infrastructural needs.”
Jeff Elliott, councillor for Cwmbach, said: “Thanks to Vikki for pushing for these improvements to broadband which will enable access and better provision for all residents of Coed Dyffryn.
“I would also like to thank her for the support she has given me and residents in working to find a solution with other matters in the area”.
BT, Persimmon Homes and the UK Government’s department for digital, culture, media and sport were all contacted for comment.