We're incredibly buoyed to have signed up a total of 64% of the properties in Crook to Get B4RN - smashing our 50% target - and numbers continue to rise. Huge thanks to all of you for your continued support.
In what we expect to be more good news for Crook, B4RN have managed to secure a deal whereby the voucher scheme will remain open for some areas. This should mean that as more people sign up, B4RN can apply for vouchers for eligible properties, adding further to the pot for the whole community.
This follows a vigorous lobbying campaign by volunteers, in Crook and elsewhere, alongside B4RN HQ and championed by Tim Farron MP. Tim managed to convene a special debate in Westminster last week at which he successfully argued the case for extension to the new minister responsible for the roll out of gigabit broadband across the UK, Julia Lopez. He received cross party support.
B4RN are now working with DCMS to determine which B4RN communities can be counted as "Voucher Priority Areas" and continue to gain access to vouchers. This will largely be based on the viability of each project. They are delaying any formal announcement on individual projects until they can announce them all together. Given the exceptionally strong backing Crook's project achieved in the six weeks running up to the September 10th deadline we are confident of a positive outcome for this area.
In an email to Crook Volunteer leader Andrew Brown this morning Tim Farron said "It is hard to believe that such an entirely appropriate outcome could have required such concentrated representation to overcome the obstacles. I am so pleased that the admirable work of the best internet provider in the country will continue so that some of the most remote homes in the north west will be able to install fibre to their property in the foreseeable future."
So that's a big round of applause to everyone involved!
And for anyone who has received an email and/or text from BDUK asking you to confirm your voucher request, please don't forget to do so within the 28 days allowed.
We would urge all our supporters to continue to encourage friends and neighbours who haven't signed up to do so.
Best wishes from the Crook volunteer team.
We will be in touch again as soon as there is any further news.