Fibre broadband arrives in Southrop

Southrop, a small Gloucestershire village located near Lechlade, is the latest area to connect to high-speed fibre optic broadband as part of the £56.6 million Fastershire rollout programme.

Fastershire is working with BT and both Gloucestershire and Herefordshire County Councils to enable local residents and businesses to connect to fibre broadband. More than 10,000 people have already gained access to the superfast service thanks to the programme.

Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "The Fastershire project is really beginning to gather pace and residents and businesses are starting to benefit from investment in this vital infrastructure."

Following Southrop's recent connection to fibre optic broadband, a further six communities in the surrounding area are set to benefit from the service over the next few months, while it is hoped that 90 per cent of residences and firms based in the county will have access to high-speed internet by 2016.