Full Fibre broadband rollout starts across rural Lancashire

The upgrade, delivered by Openreach through the UK Government’s Project Gigabit scheme, aims to connect hard-to-reach areas with high-speed, reliable internet.

UK telecoms minister Ian Murray said: "Too many people in rural areas have had to put up with patchy, unreliable broadband for too long – and we’re changing that.

"Through our government-funded Project Gigabit programme, we’re bringing faster, more reliable connections to homes and businesses that might otherwise miss out.

"That means less buffering, smoother video calls, children able to do their online homework without battling for bandwidth, and rural businesses better placed to grow, create jobs and reach customers."

The 'once-in-a-generation' upgrade will let properties connect multiple devices at gigabit-capable speeds and help local businesses trade online and compete for decades to come.

Openreach engineers are expected to reach more properties in and around Nelson, Carnforth, Clitheroe, Darwen, Galgate, Hambleton, Hest Bank, Heysham, Knott End, Lancaster, Longridge, Mellor, Morecambe, Pilling, Pleasington, Ribchester and Whalley.

In total, Openreach’s Full Fibre network now reaches more than 670,000 properties across Lancashire.

The government has so far signed contracts worth £850 million with Openreach under Project Gigabit, targeting more than 350,000 premises nationwide.

Kasam Hussain, partnership director for the North and Midlands at Openreach, said: "We’re bringing faster, more reliable broadband to some of the most rural properties in the region and letting local people know what to expect.

"This is a major infrastructure upgrade, so there will be more engineering teams, equipment and vans around town, and we're working hard to keep disruption to a minimum."

Project Gigabit is a UK Government programme designed to deliver fast and reliable broadband to areas that might otherwise miss out due to their remote location.