MP joins engineers installing fibre broadband in Gwynedd
Plaid Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts, joined Openreach engineers in Fairbourne and Llwyngwril to get an update on the work being done to install fibre broadband in her constituency.
Mrs Saville Roberts has been campaigning for some time to improve broadband access in several communities across Dwyfor Meirionnydd.
She has helped residents and local businesses access the fast, reliable service they need in the 21st century.
Work was recently completed in Fairbourne, which now has 99 per cent full fibre coverage through the Fibre Community Partnership (FCP) scheme.
Other areas now benefiting from the FCP include Clynnog Fawr with 98 per cent coverage, Llanbedr with 95 per cent, Llithfaen with 96 per cent, and Llanuwchllyn with 90 per cent.
Work is also underway to bring full fibre to 8,100 premises in Dwyfor Meirionnydd through Project Gigabit.
This includes 913 premises in Penrhyndeudraeth by 2026, 787 in Llanbedrog by 2026, 838 in Harlech by 2027, and 445 in Waunfawr by 2027.
Other communities expected to benefit include Aberdaron, Botwnnog, Ffestiniog, Llandrillo, Groeslon, Maentwrog, Garndolbenmaen and Trawsfynydd.
READ MORE: Neil Foden: Gwynedd Council says 'positive progress' made in response plan
Mrs Saville Roberts said: "I welcomed the opportunity to meet with Openreach engineers and senior management on the ground in Fairbourne to discuss the roll out of full fibre broadband across this rural constituency, and to ensure that upgrading digital infrastructure across the region remains a priority.
"Dwyfor Meirionnydd has consistently ranked amongst the worst in the UK for access to reliable, superfast broadband, compounded by all-round poor connectivity - a significant barrier for businesses and residents.
"It is therefore encouraging to see firsthand the work taking place to improve broadband connectivity in some of our more hard-to-reach communities through exchange upgrade work, Fibre Community Partnerships, and Project Gigabit.
"I've consistently argued for improving connectivity across Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and with working from home now commonplace for many people as well as the requirement for farmers to provide information online, the demand for fast, reliable broadband has never been greater.
"Tourism accommodation also needs to provide connectivity for visitors.
"Seeing engineers on the ground working to bring superfast broadband to communities like Fairbourne, Beddgelert, Clynnog Fawr, and to areas previously cut-off from fast reliable broadband, drives home the urgency to continue to strive to connect our communities."
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