Connecting Cheshire passes new milestone with superfast broadband rollout

Connecting Cheshire, the programme that aims to make high-speed broadband available to more of the region’s businesses and homes, has hit a new milestone.

The programme has now reached 80k commercial and residential properties in the county, with six parishes in Cheshire East going live just recently. The project’s £6m second phase will see an additional 10k properties connected over the next two years.

Cheshire East Council’s leader, Cllr Michael Jones, said: “This additional broadband coverage we have brought to the region, is already making a big impact and helping to keep Cheshire businesses competitive.

“More coverage is coming soon in our phase two rollout so that we can reach event more premises, especially those in our outlying, rural areas.”

The communities of Marton Heath, Bunbury, Smallwood, Wistaston, Prestbury, Bunbury and Faddiley have now joined the superfast broadband club, with Connecting Cheshire now having surpassed its original goal.

Mike Blackburn, BT’s North West regional director, said: “I am delighted that we have hit the original target of providing fibre broadband to 80,000 homes and business premises across Cheshire.

“We are continuing with the rollout so that many more users can access the benefits that high-speed broadband can deliver to homes, families and the business community.”

On a national level, the government’s rollout of superfast broadband has now reached over 3m businesses and homes, with 5,000 more reached every day.