Ovington’s broadband transformation begins with project gigabit roll-out
The village of Ovington in County Durham is set for a significant broadband upgrade as it joins other communities in the Durham-Teesdale area benefitting from the government’s Project Gigabit programme. The village has been added to the programme due to the inability of the market to provide vital full fibre broadband which local residents will now soon be able to enjoy.
Scottish independent broadband provider GoFibre is currently delivering an ultra-fast broadband network across Teesdale as part of the Project Gigabit programme, including nearby villages such as Hutton Magna and Gainford. Supported by Durham County Council, Project Gigabit is the UK Government’s programme enabling hard-to-reach communities to access gigabit-capable broadband.
GoFibre has begun work on bringing its ultra-fast, reliable broadband network to properties in the village. Once the build is complete, 69 properties across Ovington Lane and Clifford's View as well as local areas around the village green and the road leading to Clifford Farm will have the opportunity to experience significantly faster and more reliable connections.
Currently, residents are struggling with speeds of no more than 2Mbps in many premises. With GoFibre’s full fibre connection, speeds of up to 1000Mbps will be achievable, meaning seamless use of multiple devices at home, smoother remote working and better support for business productivity.
This development comes as part of GoFibre's ongoing commitment to deliver full fibre broadband to hard-to-reach premises across Scotland and the North of England. GoFibre began work in the Durham-Teesdale area in Autumn 2022 after winning two multi-million-pound Project Gigabit contracts; a project that aims to provide gigabit-capable broadband to underserved communities, addressing a critical need, as only 45%* of homes in rural England currently have access to full fibre broadband.
Andy Hepburn, Chief Operating Officer at GoFibre, said: “We've heard loud and clear from the community that better broadband is a top priority, and we're excited to bring our full-fibre network to the people of Ovington.
“We know the transformative impact that reliable high-speed broadband brings for communities that haven’t traditionally had access to such a service so we’re looking forward to seeing the build complete and building positive relationships with local people along the way.
“I’d encourage everyone to come along to one of our Ovington events so we can say hello, answer your questions, and help you get started with GoFibre.'
Cllr Susan McDonnell, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for digital, customer services and procurement, said: “It’s fantastic that even more homes and businesses in rural parts of County Durham will soon be experiencing the many benefits of full-fibre broadband.
“Having access to a fast and stable broadband connection can make such a positive difference to our lives, supporting people to work from home, shop, study and run a business. It also helps people to stay connected with friends and family, which can be especially important for those living in more isolated locations. We would encourage residents to come along to the events to find out more.”
GoFibre’s work in Ovington commenced in mid-December, and the first properties are expected to be connected by February, with the entire project slated for completion by March 2025. While most works are non-intrusive, traffic management will be in place as GoFibre installs a new duct from Hutton Magna to Ovington, potentially causing some road disruption.
GoFibre currently has more than 5,000 homes and businesses ready for service across Durham and Teesdale. Residents and businesses in the region can look forward to further updates as GoFibre continues to expand its network. To stay informed or sign up, visit gofibre.co.uk/register.
*Ofcom Connected Nations Spring 2024: Interactive report
