Former North Dorset railway could support broadband rollout

North Dorset's former railway line could be used as the route for the rollout of a super-fast broadband network.

The Community Partnership Executive for North Dorset has reported a positive response to the Trailway Broadband project after expressing interest in securing financial support from the government's Rural Community Broadband Fund (RCBF).

Under the plans, fibre optic broadband will be rolled out along an eight-mile stretch of the trailway from Blandford to Sturminster Newton, taking in the villages of Durweston, Stourpaine, Shillingstone, Child Okeford and Okeford Fitzpaine, reports Blackmore Vale Magazine.

This network will serve around 2,200 residents and 100 businesses.

In addition, the coverage of the broadband service could be expanded to include Fiddleford, Hammoon and Manston.

Some local landowners have already given their backing to the scheme by signalling their intention to allow the fibre optic cable to be installed in a narrow trench running across their property.

Jointly funded by Broadband Delivery UK and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the RCBF is aimed at the ten per cent of hardest-to-reach areas that are at risk of only receiving speeds of 2Mbps.

The fund will provide up to £20 million for small community broadband projects.