DWYFOR Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has praised early steps in connecting one of Wales’ most broadband-deprived rural areas.

Residents and businesses in the rural Meirionnydd community of Brithdir have a longstanding Fibre Community Partnership application (FCP) in place with Openreach, having secured the necessary funding to proceed with the scheme.

Yet they have faced significant delays and uncertainty, with no time frame on when their needs would be addressed.

After campaigning from residents and Mrs Saville Roberts, work has now begun to install cables in the area.

But facing significant delays and uncertainty, took up the case of her constituents, making repeated representations to Openreach and urging them to press ahead with the scheme without further delay.

Mrs Saville Roberts said: “I am pleased that after much delay and uncertainty the rural community of Brithdir in Meirionnydd looks set to be connected to fibre broadband, much to the relief of residents and businesses.

“Having repeatedly pressed Openreach to deliver fibre broadband to this digitally isolated community, it is encouraging to learn that engineers are preparing the groundwork for the laying of cables and infrastructure.

“People living in very rural areas such as Brithdir are already at a disproportionate disadvantage when it comes to accessing fast, reliable broadband - a situation aggravated by all round poor connectivity.

“The internet plays a vital role in people's lives – children need it for school, parents need it for work, and businesses need it to function, yet the service in some of our rural areas remains unacceptably slow and unreliable.

“Ultimately, it's the public purse that's paying Openreach to upgrade our national infrastructure, but in rural communities like mine, many continue to have a woeful or non-existent broadband service.

“I will be closely following developments in Brithdir, ensuring network providers keep their word and honour their commitment to connect the community to fibre broadband in the coming months.”

Brithdir resident Stuart Marsh was delighted to eventually see the start of the scheme and said:

“This is fabulous news for our community.

“After years of chasing BT, they have now promised to complete the works for all by the end of 2022.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they keep to their word, and it doesn’t turn out to be another false start.”