Better Broadband for Thorpe Constantine

Thorpe Constantine's Staffordshire village benefits from the government Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.

16:20 30 October 2020

Thorpe Estate, which generates its own heat and power, now adds fast and reliable broadband service to its list of assets, thanks to the Government's Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme. 

 

Located in Thorpe Constantine on the outskirts of Tamworth, Thorpe Estate is owned and managed by the Lillingston Family since 1631. It features a number of offices, rented properties, farms and heritage buildings that had to deal with unreliable internet service for years. This prompted Tristan Lillingston to take the initiative and take advantage of the broadband voucher scheme offered by the UK government. 

 

According to Openreach, it costs £23,000 to bring the service to 12 properties in the estate. With £1,500 vouchers per home from the government and with Staffordshire County Council topping up the pot up to a maximum of £3,500, the work was carried out without costing residents a penny. 

 

Christopher Pincher MP said: “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we’ve been reminded of the importance of fast, reliable internet connections at home.

 

“Gigabit vouchers are funded by the Rural Connectivity Programme as part of the government’s commitment to ensure that everyone has access to a fast and reliable broadband connection and will ensure that rural communities can seize the benefits of new technology.

 

“The example that I have seen at the Thorpe Estate is a brilliant example.  Well done to Tristan and to Hugh for driving this forward. My hope is that with other villages they can look to the work done here and see it as the example of doing it right.

 

“We have pledged to end the digital divide, and the investment at Thorpe is an important step to making that a reality locally. I am grateful to the County Council as they commit to pumping more money into the scheme, ensuring rural areas to receive that levelling up.”