Superfast broadband update

This is the latest update from Connecting South Gloucestershire, a government supported programme bringing faster broadband across South Gloucestershire where it is not economically viable for commercial companies to provide it:

Work is progressing well and over the last month we’ve delivered fibre in Almondsbury, Chipping Sodbury, Downend, Thornbury, Totteroak and Wickwar.

Once fibre has been laid, residents should contact their chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP) directly to see what broadband speeds and packages are available to them.

Important: Not all premises within these areas will get fibre as part of this phase of work and broadband speeds will not automatically improve. Individual householders should check options via the Openreach website and where appropriate contact their chosen ISP directly. There are useful sources of information to guide you through this process on our website

Wayleave, road closures, weather and ducting

The last month has highlighted just how complex a task installing fibre can be.

We’re working hard with local residents and land-owners to gain access to privately-owned land we need to cross to install fibre in a number of areas across South Gloucestershire. This is a time-consuming process, which in some cases has required Openreach to seek legal permissions via a Wayleave.

We’ve also had to gain permissions to close a road which will allow us to deliver broadband to parts of Codrington. We’ve made good progress here and work to complete the deployment is ongoing.

Similarly, on Sodbury Common we have encountered additional work required on some ducting. Again, this work is underway and due to be completed very shortly.

Phase 3: broadband is coming to even more areas

Last July, we secured additional investment to bring ultrafast and Next Generation Access broadband to approximately 4,300 additional homes and businesses in South Gloucestershire by the end of 2018.

Our partner, Openreach has now confirmed which areas will be included within this phase of work. As with previous phases, not all premises within postcodes will be upgraded and individual householders/businesses should check via the Openreach website.

Rural broadband latest

There is good news for some of our villages, with fibre broadband being delivered to new parts of communities including Coalpit Heath, Codrington, Dodington, Tytherington and Westerleigh. To find out what broadband speeds and packages are available to you, contact your chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP). Note that broadband speeds will not automatically improve, you need to order a suitable package.

Some parts of Codrington have had their upgrade delayed due to the need to close a road. They hope to complete deployment in Codrington by the end of February 2018.

An extra 4,300 homes and businesses will get ultrafast and Next Generation Access broadband by the end of 2018 and Openreach have now confirmed which areas will be included. As with previous phases of the scheme, not all premises within postcodes will be upgraded and individual householders/businesses should check via the Openreach website.

For more information on the rollout of broadband across South Gloucestershire see this website.

Vandalised phone box finally fixed after six months

Dafydd Holbrook and Alan Lawrance try out the newly-repaired phone box

This phone box was vandalised in early October. We reported it to BT. The police reported it to BT as well. But for months all they did was remove the damaged equipment.

BT said it wasn't a priority because it's not used very much. Not surprising, if they didn't repair it!

It's only just been fixed after six months, maybe because they wanted to put a new advert on it.

Back in contact!

The Woodchester / Blaisdon phone box was under threat of being removed a while ago because it's little used, but we persuaded BT to let it stay as an emergency call facility. It often gets vandalised, usually the handset, but BT refuse to put in a metal handset instead of plastic.

Anyway, in February it got comprehensively trashed, as you can see:


BT then stripped all the equipment out. When Paul Hulbert rang them they said they were removing the box completely, but he reminded them of their "public service" promise and they've now reinstated the box:

Still a plastic handset... But at least it's there.

By the way, if your local phone box is faulty or damaged, please note the number (usually written up on the notice inside) and ring BT on 0800 661610 with details. They're very helpful people and will arrange the repairs for you, though we once had a conversation that went like this:

"Hello, I'd like to report a phone box out of action please...."
"Yes sir, is it the number you're calling from?"