Cumbrian residents dig their own fibre optic trenches

Fed up with having to cope with sluggish broadband residents of a small area in Cumbria, Alston Moor have taken it upon themselves to don their wellies and get their hands dirty all in the name of fibre optic broadband.

Although dubbed “England's last wilderness” the locals are hopeful Alston Moor will become one of the best-connected areas in the country with speeds that could put broadband connections in London to shame.

Residents have been digging trenches ready for fibre optic cable which will initially provide them with speeds of up to 20Mb. These speeds look set to increase in the near future with downloads up to 100Mb.

Leading the project is resident Daniel Heery. As well as pitching for government funding he had the initiative to set up Britain's first broadband co-operative, Cybermoor. His work to instigate broadband improvements in the area has helped property prices in the area rise by a profitable 20%-25%.

Speaking to The Times Alson-based couple Carol and Paul Huish spoke of business opportunities which have only opened for them thanks Heery's determination to better the area: “Now we've got a website and a business. We must be available 24 hours a day. Daniel is an unsung hero.”

This summer the government pledged to deliver broadband access to every home, community and business across the country by 2012.

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