A DEAL has been struck to provide villagers in Dodford and Upton Warren with the latest ‘superfast broadband’ after months of haggling.

The Advertiser featured concerns from villagers last August after Gigaclear pulled out of installing the service due to a row with Worcestershire County Council.

Residents in Dodford and Upton Warren were among those left without the promised Fibre-To-The-Premises broadband, instead suffering with slow, unreliable connections.

MP Sajid Javid arranged meetings with Openreach CEO Clive Selly last year – the firm which provides broadband for the rest of Worcestershire county – and a deal has now been struck.

Mr Javid said: “It has been a source of great personal frustration to me that despite our constituency’s digital connectivity as a whole showing significant progress, residents living in more rural areas such as Dodford and Upton Warren have often struggled to secure a decent broadband connection.

“I’m delighted to announce that following a meeting with Clive, Openreach has agreed to build a ‘full fibre’ FTTP network in both Dodford and Upton Warren Parishes.

“Openreach’s engineers are already on the ground, and Clive believes he can deliver the network by April.

“I’d like to thank Clive Selley and his team, along with Cllr Karen May and Cllr Shirley Webb for their hard work and dedication on this issue.”

Residents in Dodford, who have fought for FTTP in the village for years, have welcomed the news.

Resident Susie Lloyd Jones said: “The Advertier’s interest in our plight last year really helped as we got fibre to some cabinets in the village towards the end of 2017.

“This has helped greatly though there are some houses which are still a little too remote and are having issues.

“I expect FTTP will be better and might be the answer to those properties which are too far from cabinets.”

Some in Upton Warren say they have been told by Openreach that roads after Swan Lane will remain off the grid.

Upton Warren resident Clive Perks said: “We are struggling to get any formal communication.”

Worcestershire County Council did not confirm which areas would be missed off, only adding that “parts” of the villages will benefit, but Openreach insist all residents will benefit from 'superfast broadband' and a full FTTP network. 

Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure, said: "The Superfast Worcestershire programme, involving both the County Council and Openreach, has continued with existing plans for parts of these communities.

“A number of premises outside of our plans have also pursued 'Community Fibre Partnerships' and sought support from Worcestershire's 'Local Body Partnership' scheme to help fund these solutions.

"We welcome the proactive work undertaken by individuals in the communities and the support of Sajid Javid MP in helping ensure the majority, if not all, residents and businesses can benefit from superfast speeds as early as possible."