Mr Mark Francois

Now, i'm not a political man, and one party is about as good as another in my opinion, I am in league with none....except when it suits me of course ;-)

Mr Mark Francois (yes the man with the big blue conservative board right next to our fibre broadband cabinet that we are not connected to) has written to me today.

He says (and I quote)

"I have again written to Gavin Patterson, Chief Executive of BT to raise this matter with him once more....." (to ask if) "...South Fambridge can be included in the next phase of the rollout"

"I hope you may recieve a positive reply but if I am successfully re-elected, then I will be happy to persue this for you further..."

Now I know we all know that this is in order to secure my vote...right? Well sure, agreed. But then i suppose isn't that the point of electing someone, to get things that you need. There's no hiding it.

Am I conservative? I honestly don't know what that means any more. Do I want fast broadband and do I think its unfair we have so far been excluded? Yes. Can this man Mark do anything about it? Maybe. Maybe is better than No.

Well Mr Francois, you have been supportive of us so far election or not, and have always replied to me in writing, promptly and have done what you have said you would.

You got my vote chap

Superfast Essex Signs a deal with BT

I've had some promising news that it seems it has been recognised that we will now be considered as eligible for the rollout by superfastessex. This I feel is significant shift from previous dialog and general message I received some two years ago from when I first enquired (that we were outside scope)

I enclose an excerpt from an email I received from Lucy at superfastessex. Thanks very much Lucy for hearing us and taking time to reply, it is appreciated.

"... it is now confirmed that we will be working with BT to extend superfast broadband coverage across the county.

The rollout plan for this work however, is still being defined. We are working with BT to agree the areas which will be covered in Phase 2 and expect this plan to be ready for publication in May. Until then, we aren’t able to definitively confirm whether South Fambridge will be included. We can only at this present confirm that it remains eligible for investment. All plans will also remain subject to change following detailed site surveys."

We remain positive and supportive of your decision.