VOLUNTEERS from across South Cumbria can look forward to a well-earned rest after connecting hundreds of properties to onto hyperfast internet.

Volunteers in Witherslack, Ulpha and Meathop (WUM) have accomplished their mission after bringing more than 200 properties live on B4RN’s gigabit full fibre broadband network.

The prospect of getting locals hyperfast internet was first mooted more than three years ago.

The WUM group had a target of connecting 204 properties (50 per cent of homes and business in the parish) and they have surpassed that.

Chair of the local B4RN group, Stephen Ratcliffe, said: “After four years of activity, including through the challenges of Covid, our local volunteer team is now standing down with mission accomplished!

“Our endeavours are well captured within our Platinum Jubilee time capsule but our one lasting hope is that our community will be able to prosper and be more resilient, now aided by up-to-date technology.”

As with all B4RN projects, getting the community hubs connected was a big driver. These included the Dean Barwick School; the Community Shop; and the Parish Hall.

Linda Park, chairman of Witherslack Parish Hall Committee, said: “Those hiring our parish hall, including our youth club and local Women’s Institute, now have access to superfast broadband.

“Additionally, we’ve created a new business suite in our committee room with six IT stations, which can be rented out on an hourly basis.”

With just a handful of connections left to make over the next few months (which require some civil engineering work by B4RN), the WUM group will disband.

Volunteer, Rick Fry, said: “Getting fast broadband into the parish has been hard work, but for those connected we hope the rewards are evident.

“It’s been an interesting, demanding and time-consuming experience, and the volunteers are delighted with what has been achieved.”

B4RN’s Head of Infrastructure, Nick Hall, said: “The project presented the team with a number of physical barriers to construction including crossing the main arterial road A590 and the rivers Winster and Gilpin.

“Our contractor, Tony Middleton, worked tirelessly to ensure the project was delivered in a timely manner and worked closely with Landowners and Farmers to successfully install the main routes without complaint.”

The full WUM volunteer team is: Niels Christiansen; John Geldard; Ian George; Steve Graham; Rick Fry; Penny Hitchin; Keith McClure; Ashley Madden; Mark Palacio; Steve Ratcliffe; Nick Stanley; Nigel Wilkinson