MP issues broadband update to parish councils

Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, has said he will continue fighting for improved broadband in rural communities.
He has written to more than 30 parish councils across the constituency following a recent meeting with the Telecoms Minister, Sir Chris Bryant.
They were joined by Andrew Field, Programme Director for Project Gigabit – the government's programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband.
Mr Amos said: “I made the point that, while 71.6% of premises in Taunton and Wellington have theoretical broadband speeds of 1 Gigabit per second (source: House of Commons Library), almost all areas of my constituency are in the worst 30% for average download speeds.
“The areas of Ruishton, North Curry and, in Taunton, the areas of Galmington and Trull are within the worst 10% in the country.”
Mr Amos said that, in 2020, Airband was contracted to deploy full fibre broadband in rural areas of Somerset West and Taunton, parts of Sedgemoor and East Devon, as well as areas of Mid Devon, South Hams and Teignbridge.
“However, in October 2024, Airband stepped back from its earlier commitments. As a consequence, it will now deliver full fibre to 27,171 premises rather than 55,493.”
Parishes no longer included in the build stretch from Burrowbridge down to Sampford Arundel.
“In responding to my concerns, the Minister and the Programme Director agreed to address the lack of gigabit-capable connections and promised that a contract with BT Openreach covering our area is expected to be signed in the next few weeks.
“Whilst I understand this will not initially cover premises included in Airband’s contract, I was assured there would be opportunities to build more areas into the contract for delivery
“I have asked Building Digital UK to write to me and to you, as Parish Councils, directly as soon as the contract is agreed, to tell me which areas it will cover and how further areas can be added to the contract, together with the timescales involved.
“While the parishes of West Hatch, Hatch Beauchamp, Bickenhall, Curland, Staple Fitzpaine, Corfe, Orchard Portman, Stoke St Mary and Pitminster (Cluster 13) remain within Airband’s descoped contract, I am keenly aware that my constituents in these areas remain in the dark when it comes to a definitive timetable for connection.
Mr Amos said he would continue pressing for updated information.
“Gigabit connection is an essential utility like electricity or gas,” he added.
“Without it, rural communities in our part of Somerset will not thrive and those trying to run businesses vital to our local economy will be hamstrung.
“So, I will continue to press the Minister and Project Gigabit to ensure your villages get the attention they deserve after so much failure in previous attempts at a national rollout of faster broadband.”