Rural broadband rollout in north Shropshire delayed after 'frustrating' contract cancellation

The firm has a further 1,000 properties to connect before the contract ends on the revised date of June 30 (Monday).

The agreement is designed to provide high-speed connections for properties that would not be served by normal commercial providers.

North Shropshire's Liberal Democrat MP Helen Morgan has expressed frustration over the development, and said she would be raising the issue with the Government, pressing for a solution to be 'fast-tracked'.

A replacement provider is now not likely to be confirmed for several months.

The Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has not responded to Shropshire Star requests for comment on the issue.

Residents who were looking forward to a connection also face the added headache of the possibility that their premises may not be included in a new contract specification issued to replace the Freedom Fibre arrangement.

In a letter to residents Mrs Morgan explained that she would be pressing ministers over the situation, saying a replacement is needed as soon as possible.

She wrote: "This is extremely disappointing news and I have made my displeasure clear to both Freedom Fibre and Building Digital UK, the Government department responsible for delivering Project Gigabit contracts.

"Given the failure of this contract, I have serious concerns about the procurement process that I will be raising with ministers.

"In the meantime it is crucial that a replacement provider is found for North Shropshire as soon as possible and that clear information is provided to people waiting for gigabit broadband to be provided at their home or business.

She added: "By the end of July we will have final confirmation of where Freedom Fibre has and has not provided a connection.

"The Government will then begin negotiating with a new provider about which homes will be included in the specification for the remainder of the contract. These will be hard-to-reach premises where commercial providers have no plans to install a connection but they may not be exactly the same premises as were included in Freedom Fibre’s contract.

"I would encourage anyone keen for their property to be included in this contract to contact BDUK directly at [email protected].

"There is a high likelihood that the new provider will be Openreach, which is already delivering Project Gigabit contracts in various parts of the UK, but this will be confirmed in the coming months."

Mrs Morgan said the developments could have implications for incomplete infrastructure provided by Freedom Fibre.

She wrote: "If Freedom Fibre has built infrastructure in your area which has not been completed, this will either be sold, rented or removed. Depending on any negotiations with new providers it is likely to be sold or rented, however, I would recommend asking Freedom Fibre directly regarding specific areas."

She added: "This news is extremely frustrating and means the rollout of high-speed broadband across North Shropshire will be delayed by at least several months. However, I will be doing all that I can to fast-track the process and ensure that a reliable contractor is found as soon as possible."