B4RN broadband come to Cotterdale as Rishi Sunak visits

Chancellor Rishi Sunak visited Cotterdale and he was given the honour of 'splicing' the last connection in the village.

The project was completed by B4RN, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in installing fibre broadband in under-served remote settlements throughout south Cumbria and parts of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Mr Sunak praised local volunteers, who provide much of the labour for installing the service, such as digging trenches, and "bridging the digital divide".

He said: "The volunteers and B4RN have done an excellent job in overcoming geographical isolation and I am delighted that scheme has also been assisted by £47,000 of Government funding - direct to households and businesses - through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher scheme.

"The Chancellor was then shown a speedtest of the connection – noting both the upload and download speeds were way beyond anything he got in London. 

SPLICING: The Chancellor splicing the final cable

B4RN CEO Michael Lee said: "It was great that the Chancellor was able to witness the completion of another successful B4RN project, as we continue to deliver on our promise to connect the hardest to reach communities in the country with full fibre infrastructure.

"B4RN projects are only possible thanks to a combination of voucher funding from the Government and the hard work and dedication of communities - it was great to see these two elements coming together in a remote corner of northern England today.

"In twelve months, with the support of B4RN, Cotterdale has moved from a forgotten, neglected backwater to being amongst the fastest connected communities in the UK.

"The tables have turned somewhat, as we now visit our children in Leeds or London, and complain about their internet!"

Local B4RN volunteer champion, David Colley, said:

"In twelve months, with the support of B4RN, Cotterdale has moved from a forgotten, neglected backwater to being amongst the fastest connected communities in the UK.

"The tables have turned somewhat, as we now visit our children in Leeds, London etc. and complain about their internet!"

Click here to read about the ongoing B4RN project in Kirkby Lonsdale.