Too many rural communities across Romsey and Southampton North are being left behind when it comes to reliable broadband.
A month ago, I raised serious concerns after the Government confirmed that the Hampshire Project Gigabit contract had been significantly reduced, with later stages of the rollout removed. Since then, residents still do not know which areas are affected, which premises will still be upgraded, or what alternative solution will be put in place for those now excluded from the contract - that is simply not good enough.
Reliable broadband is not a luxury. It matters for work, education, farming, small businesses, accessing public services and staying connected. I remain very disappointed by the cuts to the Project Gigabit contract and will continue to campaign for better broadband services across our rural communities.
If you are affected by poor broadband, please add your name below to my open letter calling on the Minister to provide urgent clarity and a proper plan for the areas at risk of being left behind.
Letter addressed to Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Digital Economy) in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Dear Minister,
I am writing, with the support of the undersigned residents of Romsey and Southampton North, to express my deep disappointment about the reduction in the Hampshire Project Gigabit contract and the total lack of clarity for local communities.
The original contract was expected to bring gigabit-capable broadband to thousands of hard-to-reach premises across my constituency - I am therefore extremely concerned that the contract has now been significantly reduced, with later stages of the rollout removed.
A month on from this announcement, residents still do not know which areas are affected, which premises will continue to be included, which have been removed, and what alternative solution the Government intends to provide.
For rural communities, reliable broadband is essential. It supports people working from home, children and students completing schoolwork, farmers and local businesses operating efficiently, residents accessing online public services, and older or more isolated people staying connected with family, friends and support networks. Many residents have already waited too long for decent broadband. It would be unacceptable for those who were expecting help through Project Gigabit to now find themselves excluded, with no clear timetable, no alternative provider and no certainty about when their service will improve.
I am therefore asking you to:
Publish, as a matter of urgency, the areas and premises in Romsey and Southampton North affected by the reduction in the Hampshire Project Gigabit contract.
Confirm which premises will still be delivered through the remaining Project Gigabit contract.
Set out what alternative solutions will be provided for premises removed from the contract, including those that are unlikely to be covered by commercial rollout.
Provide a clear timetable for delivery, so residents and businesses know when they can expect reliable gigabit-capable broadband.
Ensure that rural communities are not left behind simply because they are harder or more expensive to reach.
I remain very unhappy with the cuts to the Project Gigabit contract and will continue to campaign for better broadband services across my constituency.
Yours sincerely,
Caroline Nokes MP
Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North
Supported by the undersigned residents