Fed-up villagers in a broadband blackspot are rallying for a meeting on Saturday after having their dreams shattered this summer.
Residents of the parish of Murton, near Appleby, are gathering at the Murton Institute at 3-30pm on Saturday, 2nd December.
It was a meeting they had hoped to “live stream” to allow greater participation — but ironically that was a no-go due to internet speeds.
It follows a sudden decision in June by the Government’s broadband deliverer, Building Digital UK. Without consultation, all Murton properties were removed from a scheme which helps reduce the costs of rolling out fibre broadband to rural areas.
As well as putting householders back to square one after months of work, it has left them scratching their heads about the pledge to connect “hard to reach” areas.
It is hoped Saturday’s meeting will provide clarity on what has happened and how the community can move forward.
With increasing amounts of services put online — from health to banking, shopping and entertainment — residents continue to experience a frustrating variety of “inconsistent and unreliable” broadband download speeds; as well as patchy mobile phone reception.
A spokesman for Murton Broadband Working Group said residents had yet to receive “satisfactory” answers as to why the funding was withdrawn, or what, if anything, might replace it.
Among those attending are MP Tim Farron; Building Digital UK; B4RN; Fibrus, Cumbria Connect as well as all Murton residents and possibly others from Warcop and Ormside, who experienced an identical setback.
Mr Farron said: “Getting Broadband connectivity to these parishes is absolutely essential to preserving these communities.”
