Preseli MP Stephen Crabb has welcomed the news that a Government programme will bring superfast broadband to one of Pembrokeshire’s most remote communities.
The Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) programme, a 2-year £200 million UK-wide initiative, has identified Ysgol Llanychllwydog school in the Gwaun Valley near Fishguard as one of the sites requiring additional connectivity support.
Once Ysgol Llanychllwydog is connected, it will act as a ‘hub’, helping to bring superfast broadband to the wider community.
An “Outside In” approach is being taken to make sure rural areas are not disadvantaged in the race for full fibre broadband. This new approach will help ensure that the 10 per cent of premises unlikely to receive gigabit-capable connections commercially by 2033, are reached at the same time as the commercial roll out happens across the UK.
Commenting after the announcement, Stephen Crabb MP said: “This is excellent news for both Ysgol Llanychllwydog and the wider Gwaun Valley community. Superfast broadband and education now go hand in hand, and the school will be happy to shake off the tag as the only school in Wales without broadband. I have continually raised the issue of broadband with Minister’s in Parliament and I am pleased they have listened and it highlights the Government’s commitment to ensuring all of the UK is connected to superfast broadband.
The RGC programme also has a rural gigabit broadband voucher component, offering up to £3,500 for small businesses and up to £1,500 for residents. This will be offered to encourage greater take-up of gigabit-capable connectivity to residents and businesses in rural areas.
There will also be opportunities to explore other ways of rolling out gigabit capable connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach areas using the Outside in approach.