Nearly 5,000 more properties in West Cumbria to be included in fibre broadband rollout thanks to £50 million Government investment

Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister is celebrating the announcement of a major expansion of the Government funded Project Gigabit to give access to superfast fibre broadband to nearly five thousand more properties across West Cumbria.

A £50 million boost to the programme will see an additional 21,000 premises in rural areas across Cumbria included in total, with rollout expected to be completed in 2027.

Thousands of homes were left out of the programme announced by the previous government, with some residents finding that one side of their street was getting access while the other was not. Josh met with Digital Minister Chris Bryant last year to lobby for more properties in West Cumbria to be included in the programme (pictured).

Once this expanded rollout is delivered alongside other commercial plans, 99% of homes and businesses in Cumbria should have access to next generation broadband. Josh is working with Building Digital UK on solutions for the remaining 1% in the most rural areas where it is not possible to deliver fibre.

Josh said:

“I’m delighted that following lobbying the Government has committed £50 million to this massive extension of Project Gigabit, which will give almost all properties in West Cumbria access to superfast fibre broadband.

“Access to high speed internet is absolutely essential to improve connectivity in rural communities, to support more flexible working and back local small and home-based businesses, of which we have so many in West Cumbria. 

“This is just the latest example of how the new Labour Government is delivering for communities like ours.”

Digital Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: 

“Better broadband will not only enhance the quality of life for tens of thousands of homes and businesses across rural Cumbria, but it will also help us put an end to disparities between urban and rural areas.

“Only last month, we launched our Digital Inclusion Action Plan, setting out our next steps to shrink the digital gap. This announcement is a fantastic example of how a Government-backed contract will help ensure people in rural areas are not left behind and have the tools they need to thrive in the digital age.”