A BATTLE for improved broadband in a semi-rural village has been given a boost following the announcement of an impending upgrade to almost 300 homes.
Thurgoland residents, some who work or run businesses from home, have been fighting for faster internet connections for years.
BT has now revealed plans which could see speeds, which are measured in megabits per second, enhanced by up to 80 times in properties to the west of the A629 Halifax Road by the end of the year.
Internet speeds in the village currently vary with homes to the east of the A629, which are served by a cabinet outside the Green Dragon pub, enjoying a better service than those to the west, which are connected to a box in Wortley.
Some Thurgoland residents experience speeds of just 1Mbps while other parts of the Barnsley borough regularly receive between 30Mbps and 50Mbps.
The poor service prompted a handful of frustrated villagers to form a broadband group.
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated August 1. **
