UPDATE ON FULL FIBRE BROADBAND ROLLOUT TO RURAL AREAS - Current delivery position
As things stand, Churchstanton remains in the category of premises with no clearly defined delivery pathway following the descoping of the Airband contract (Cluster C14). This means that Churchstanton currently sits outside:
This failure of allocation is the core issue, and Gideon has continued to press CDS and BDUK for urgent remedial intervention.
Gigabit Voucher Scheme – important but limited access
CDS and BDUK have been working on a contract change which would, in principle, allow communities like Churchstanton to access the Gigabit Voucher Scheme via a Fibre Community Partnership.
However, there are two important constraints:
In Churchstanton’s case, these present a significant barrier to progress. Openreach is not currently accepting new Fibre Community Partnership requests, and so while a voucher-based route may exist on paper, there is no delivery mechanism at present.
I appreciate that this is an extremely frustrating and unsatisfactory position, and it is something Gideon is raising directly with the Minister.
Engagement with CDS, BDUK and Government
Gideon has continued to press CDS, BDUK and DCMS/DSIT on three specific points:
Public meeting update
The proposed public meeting is being progressed. We are currently working towards a date later this month and will circulate details as soon as these are confirmed. CDS has been engaging with Openreach and Airband regarding their attendance. The intention is to ensure that affected communities, including Churchstanton, can hear directly from delivery bodies and challenge the lack of clarity.
Despite his ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, Gideon fully appreciates that many constituents, including the residents of Churchstanton, still have no defined path or schedule for securing a full fibre broadband connection. However, your case, along with others, continues to be central to his discussions with CDS and Government because it highlights a systemic issue which disproportionately affects hard-to-reach rural communities.
Thank you again for continuing to pursue this matter so constructively.
Kind regards,
Clive
Constituency Caseworker for Gideon Amos OBE MP
Gideon Amos OBE MP
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Taunton & Wellington
As things stand, Churchstanton remains in the category of premises with no clearly defined delivery pathway following the descoping of the Airband contract (Cluster C14). This means that Churchstanton currently sits outside:
- confirmed inclusion in the extended Project Gigabit contract awarded to Openreach,
- active CDS delivery contracts, and
- any known commercial rollout plan
This failure of allocation is the core issue, and Gideon has continued to press CDS and BDUK for urgent remedial intervention.
Gigabit Voucher Scheme – important but limited access
CDS and BDUK have been working on a contract change which would, in principle, allow communities like Churchstanton to access the Gigabit Voucher Scheme via a Fibre Community Partnership.
However, there are two important constraints:
- eligibility is difficult to confirm in practice, particularly where premises are still recorded within legacy contract scopes despite no active delivery;
- even where eligibility is enabled, delivery depends entirely upon an installer being willing to take on the work.
In Churchstanton’s case, these present a significant barrier to progress. Openreach is not currently accepting new Fibre Community Partnership requests, and so while a voucher-based route may exist on paper, there is no delivery mechanism at present.
I appreciate that this is an extremely frustrating and unsatisfactory position, and it is something Gideon is raising directly with the Minister.
Engagement with CDS, BDUK and Government
Gideon has continued to press CDS, BDUK and DCMS/DSIT on three specific points:
- confirmation of whether Churchstanton, and other communities in a similar position, will be brought into a Project Gigabit contract or extension,
- clarity on the “no defined delivery path” cohort across the constituency, and
- the need for a clear, accountable delivery route for rural communities currently left in limbo.
Public meeting update
The proposed public meeting is being progressed. We are currently working towards a date later this month and will circulate details as soon as these are confirmed. CDS has been engaging with Openreach and Airband regarding their attendance. The intention is to ensure that affected communities, including Churchstanton, can hear directly from delivery bodies and challenge the lack of clarity.
Despite his ongoing engagement with key stakeholders, Gideon fully appreciates that many constituents, including the residents of Churchstanton, still have no defined path or schedule for securing a full fibre broadband connection. However, your case, along with others, continues to be central to his discussions with CDS and Government because it highlights a systemic issue which disproportionately affects hard-to-reach rural communities.
Thank you again for continuing to pursue this matter so constructively.
Kind regards,
Clive
Constituency Caseworker for Gideon Amos OBE MP
Gideon Amos OBE MP
Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Taunton & Wellington