Village near Hastings to get ultra-fast broadband

Every household in Westfield in the last week will have received communication from Openreach about the Government Gigabit Voucher.

This is a scheme which Westfield Parish Council has joined in order to get ultra-fast broadband into the parish.

Hastings and Rye MP, Sally-Ann Hart, said: “This is fantastic news for local residents and businesses alike to access ultra-fast broadband.

“More and more of us are having to work from home nowadays, and this is probably a trend that will continue post-Covid, therefore making the need for fast and efficient broadband speeds at home essential.

“A big thank you also has to go to Hamish Monro and Jane Clarke for all they have done to ensure that Westfield parish is eligible for this scheme.”

Under the scheme speeds of up to 100 Mbps are attainable.

Westfield Parish Council is now encouraging everyone to use their pledge by the March 31 deadline as a minimum number of households must do so by that date in order to qualify.

Rural premises with broadband speeds of less than 100Mbps can use vouchers worth £1,500 per home and up to £3,500 for each small to medium-sized business (SME) to support the cost of installing new fast and reliable connections.

Councillor Hamish Monro, chairman of Westfield Parish Council, said: “It is vital that as many Westfield residents sign up by the March 31 deadline so that households and businesses in the Westfield parish can get access to ultra fast broadband with no installation costs.

“But this will only be possible if enough residents sign up. I encourage everyone in the parish to go to www.westfieldviallge.co.uk for more information and to tell all their friends and neighbours to sign up too.”

* Got a story? Ring reporters Richard Gladstone on 07803 505794 or Stephen Wynn-Davies on 07393 754494.

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