Village Voice December 2012/January 2013 | Page 17

BETTER
BROADBAND
An update of the broadband upgrade
campaign:
BT/Openreach has confirmed that Alresford
is not commercially viable to be upgraded to
superfast broadband. However, Twyford is
deemed to be commercially viable. At
http://www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/
where-and-when/ BT shows the exchanges
that have, and will be, upgraded.
HCC has limited funds to upgrade the areas
that BT has decided not to fund. To help
HCC allocate these funds to areas where a
broadband upgrade is wanted, it has been
encouraging
us
to
register
at
http://www.superfast-openreach.co.uk/
where-and-when/. Gundleton and Old
Alresford
have
been
registering
enthusiastically; Bighton has lagged a little.
We do need to continue registering
individual and household interest on this
site. Currently we have a respectable
number of registrations, but other villages
are getting their campaigns started. So
please register.
Remember, Lancashire will get 97% of its
residents upgraded to superfast broadband,
whereas Hampshire will only reach 90%.
Currently we are not in that 90%.
Unfortunately there does seem to be
competition between regions in Hampshire
for the available funds. Better to have aimed
for an equitable service, rather than leaving
a few residents in the broadband slow lane.
However, that is the reality, so we have to
register and highlight our desire for an
upgrade at every opportunity.
Meanwhile, Steve Brine and Jackie Porter
have been well briefed on our registration

progress. BT’s Regional Director has been
questioned over its decision to upgrade
Twyford, rather than Alresford – so far its
explanations have been unsatisfactory. This
is ongoing. Over the summer 1500 HCC
leaflets were delivered to New Alresford to
encourage residents to register, as we need
the exchange there to be upgraded, as well
as a fibre upgrade from the exchange to our
villages.
The campaign continues ...
Barry Edge

HITTING THE
COLD SPOTS –
HELPING YOU
TO STAY WARM
IN HAMPSHIRE
Are your heating bills going through the
roof? If they are, much of the heat you are
paying for could be going the same way.
Hitting the Cold Spots, a Hampshire
County Council scheme funded by a grant
from the Department of Health, can help and
advise you on ways to keep warm and
healthy this winter.
Cold weather not only makes life
uncomfortable but can also lead to serious
health problems such as respiratory
diseases, asthma, depression, heart
disease and strokes. Hampshire County
Council has been developing new and
innovative ways to help people keep warm
and reduce bills.
The easy way to find what you need is to call
our dedicated free Advice Line 0800 804
8601 where your call will be answered by a
member of our Hampshire-based, friendly
and knowledge