60,000 homes in rural Yorkshire get faster broadband

The UK Government’s Project Gigabit scheme, which aims to improve connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, has been expanded further into rural parts of North and East Yorkshire. 

The latest rollout extends to rural communities around Barnsley, Huddersfield, Hull, Bradford, York, and smaller villages in both Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

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Ian Murray, Minister of State at the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport, said: “Good broadband is about giving families, workers and local businesses the tools they need to get on, wherever they live.

“This milestone is proof that Project Gigabit has put better digital opportunities into local communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire that have had to work around patchy connections for too long – whether that’s running a business from a rural village or taking a job that would once have felt out of reach.”

In Yorkshire, upgraded coverage now includes communities such as Sessay and Linton-on-Ouse.

Mark Bowden, Chief Executive of broadband provider Quickline, said: “At Quickline, we’ve always believed where you live shouldn’t determine the opportunities available to you.

“Through Project Gigabit, we’re proud to be working alongside the UK Government to bring gigabit-capable broadband to rural communities across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

“More than 60,000 homes and businesses can now access gigabit-capable broadband through our Project Gigabit rollout, while, in total, our full fibre network now reaches some 260,000 premises across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.”

Quickline has used the scheme to offer work experience and training to young people – supporting more than 1,700 young people in exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through workshops.

In East Yorkshire, the changes are already having an impact – Quickline ran STEM workshops for 80 pupils from Skirlaugh Primary School and a resident named Margaret said the service had improved her ability to stay in touch with friends and family.

Project Gigabit has already helped upgrade more than 1.3 million premises across the UK.

In Yorkshire, other areas benefitting from the boost include Newport, Gilberdyke, Bishopthorpe, Fylingthorpe, Hawes, Askirgg, Marton cum Grafton, Holme On Spalding Moore, and Middleton-on-the-Wolds.