Halton in line for £768,000 B4RN internet funding - but only if half of village signs up

Halton has become eligible for government funding via the Gigabit Voucher Scheme to install the B4RN network to the entire village.
Laying cable through a garden in Halton.Laying cable through a garden in Halton.
Laying cable through a garden in Halton.

The government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has accepted a proposal for Halton from Broadband 4 Rural North (B4RN) under the new Rural Gigabit Connectivity Programme (RGC) scheme that came into force in May 2020.

The money will pay for a contractor to install the fibre optic cable, using roads and pavements to complete the job quickly, and without delay.

The total cost of the accepted proposal is £768,747.

A diagram of how the system works.A diagram of how the system works.
A diagram of how the system works.
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But B4RN said it needs Halton residents' help to seal the deal.

A spokesman said: "To receive the money, we as a village, have to show that there is significant interest.

"The target that has been set for us is 50 per cent of the residences in the village."

The RGC programme aims to deliver more "gigabit-capable connections" in locations that are unlikely to benefit from commercial investment by 2033.

Work has been going on for months to dig routes for cabling in the village.Work has been going on for months to dig routes for cabling in the village.
Work has been going on for months to dig routes for cabling in the village.
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Robb Thompson, from B4RN Halton, said: "This is such a fantastic opportunity for Halton.

"Once we have enough people registered, and we have secured the Gigabit Voucher funding from the Government, within 12 months we will have an internet service that will be the envy of many major towns and cities throughout the UK.

"We will also only be paying a fraction of the price that the largest 'for-profit' communications providers would charge, so what is there not to like?

"It's not often you are offered a better service for a lower price.

"It's an opportunity not to be missed.

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"I think the recent lockdown situation has highlighted to many people in the village just how essential fast and stable communications systems are.

"Many people have been using video conferencing to communicate with loved ones, and working from home, as well as using streaming services to keep themselves entertained, and of course, shopping online for essentials.

"We urge everyone in Halton to access the Get B4RN form and express their interest and help secure the funding for the benefit of everyone."

Tom Hurst from B4RN added: "Contractors have been identified and will be appointed to build the whole village if there is enough demand to make the build financially viable.

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"We estimate it would take a five man team one year to build the whole village.

"So one year is the current goal, but we hope to reduce this time frame by attracting more contractors during the build".

To claim this grant, Halton residents are required to register interest via a form on the B4RN website at https://b4rn.org.uk/postcode-checker/

If the target it hit quickly, work could start at the end of June, with the first priority getting the distribution communications cabinet near the skate park live.

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B4RN has already installed ducting to the Centre@Halton, and several houses on High Road, Beech Road, and the school.

These could be on a live B4RN connection in July, with further properties to follow as the work progresses.

In addition to the Gigabit Voucher, a further dig grant of £150 is available from B4RN. This is for digging in the final part.

Taking the connection installed by the contractor from the pavement at the front of your property, to your house.

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This grant is available to the householder should they do this work themselves.

Alternatively, the B4RN 4 HALTON dig team can make the connection for you, and in this case, the grant is paid into the team account to cover costs.

B4RN is a not-for-profit organisation, and because of this a B4RN connection only costs £30/month (£150 one-off connection fee) for 1Gbps (1000Mb/s) synchronous Fibre-To-The-Property, with unlimited data.

It is still possible to buy B4RN shares which pay an interest of five per cent on your investment.

If you invest more than £1500 you are also entitled to a free connection. If you are interested in investing, please ask for more details.

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