THE body responsible for deciding where Government resources for broadband connectivity should be allocated has agreed to reassess the priority of two parishes.

It comes after Tim Farron, the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, met with representatives from Building Digital UK (BDUK) after funding was pulled by the government at short notice for Murton and Warcop.

Spades were almost in the ground for the parishes to begin work with B4RN before BDUK made the decision to downgrade the priority levels of the areas at the eleventh hour.

Mr Farron challenged the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the decision in the House of Commons after being in ongoing discussions with parish councillors.

He said: “I am encouraged that BDUK is going to look again at these decisions. Getting broadband connectivity to these parishes is absolutely essential to preserving these communities. Not only that, but it is going to help keep people connected to their families, healthcare and be a boost to businesses in the area.

“B4RN are absolutely the right people to take on the project and I fully support their bid. They know the area very well already, have a great relationship with the local community, and a brilliant track record of really delivering in Cumbria and the North West.

“I really hope that BDUK sees the error in their decision and upgrades the priority of Warcop and Murton to get this project back on track.”