Your Fibre Broadband Update – August 2018

Cabinet 21 on Ash Road at the junction with Sunnybank is now live and accepting orders. Lucky people now connected to this cabinet should have access to an enhanced service.

Cabinets 22 (near Somervilles Christmas Trees) and Cabinet 23 (on Ash Road opposite the junction for Brown Moss/Edgeley); both required a wayleave for the power connection. The wayleave has now been agreed and the cabinets expected to be connected by 22nd October.  Final testing before going live will be 6 weeks so, assuming no issues during the final stage, these two cabinets are expected to go live in mid-December. Just in time for your Christmas live streaming!

To check which cabinet you are linked to click here then enter your landline telephone number

Road Closures – July 2018

Road Closure:  Ash Road, Near Ash Magna
Start Date: 9th July 2018
End Date: 13th July 2018
Purpose: Installation of power ducts and cables
Works Promoter:   BT
Diversion route along Whitchurch bypass – A525/Whitchurch to Nantwich Road and Church Lane

Traffic Controlled roadworks – Junction Church Lane, Ash Magna
Date: 16th July
Purpose: Dig Power Holes
Works Promoter: BT

Road Closure:  Ash House Farm to Lea Hall, Ash Parva
Start Date: 23rd July 2018
End Date: 24th July 2018
Purpose: Road Closure – Locate and excavate 1 blockage in existing duct, locate and excavate 1 subsequent blockage in existing duct
Works Promoter:   BT
Diversion route along Whitchurch bypass – A525/Whitchurch to Nantwich Road and Burleydam Road

Your Fibre Broadband Update

Cabinets – Whitchurch 21 & Whitchurch 22
We are here:-
openreach
Openreach has informed us that cabinet 21 (the new cabinet in Ash Magna) is currently connected to the copper network working on the fibre spine and power connection. There are further engineering works to be done (the connection stage), followed by testing and assurance (activation stage) to be completed before hand over to the service providers. As things stand if everything goes according to plan, the engineering works will be complete towards the end of the summer with testing and handover expected in the autumn (Oct-Nov).

You may all be disappointed that fibre broadband will not now be available to you before the autumn months however Openreach has said if there is an opportunity to improve on these dates they will.

For the eagle eyed among you who have spotted you are now linked to cabinet no. 22 (near Somervilles) rather than 21, the position is similar to cabinet 21 but also requires a road closure and a private wayleave agreement. Hopefully the wayleave will be agreed quickly and activation of Whitchurch 22 will follow soon after Whitchurch 21.

To check the status at your property, go to
https://www.homeandbusiness.openreach.co.uk/fibre-broadband/when-can-i-get-fibre
and enter your landline number.
(you will find the landline number gives a more accurate picture than the property address)

Road Closure – Ash Magna to Ightfield- May 2018

Road Closure:  Ash Road, between Ash Magna & Ightfield
Start Date: 14th May 2018
End Date: 15th May 2018
Purpose: Road closure for blockages and cabling Phase one
Works Promoter:   BT
Enforcement pattern for Ash Road, between Ash Magna and Ightfield: Mon – Tues 08:00 – 6:00
road works 14th may         Diversion Route Details

Road Closure : Ash Parva to Ightfield
Start Date: 16th May 2018
End Date: 16th May 2018
Purpose: Road closure for route proving and cabling, Phase two.
Works Promoter:   BT
Enforcement pattern for Ash Parva to Ightfield:Wednesday 08:00 – 16:00
road works 16th may

Diversion Route Details

Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme – extended

From Connecting Shropshire :-
The Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme provides support towards the cost of the installation of a broadband connection. This national Scheme was established and is funded by Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) and it’s administered locally by Shropshire Council.

Originally, the Better Broadband Subsidy Scheme was expected to close at the end of December 2017. However, the government has confirmed that that the Scheme will continue through 2018. This means that people unable to access download speeds of more than 2Mbps will still be able to apply to the Scheme to get an ‘interim solution’ in advance of them benefitting from superfast broadband coverage. Further details about the scheme can be found at: http://connectingshropshire.co.uk/basic-broadband-subsidy-scheme/. “

Connecting Ash – Fibre Broadband

Connecting Shropshire has confirmed that the works currently in Ash Magna are part of the Phase 2 rollout of fibre broadband.  Openreach will be installing a number of cabinets along the Ash/Whitchurch Road during November with the intention that fibre broadband will be up and running within 6 months. We are awaiting more detailed information regarding a schedule and timescale from Openreach.*

*Click here for installation location map and dates.

Some of you may be accepting the recent offer of fixed wireless access in the area. Connecting Shropshire is not permitted to offer BDUK subsidy to any property within their “In Scope” area and who will benefit from the phase 2 rollout. However, if you are an outlying property and believe that you will not benefit –  i.e. that you may be too far away from the new cabinets and wish to install fixed wireless access – you may still be able to get the subsidy. If you are unsure either complete the online form by the end of December** and they will assess your application, or contact Connecting Shropshire or your preferred provider for further information.

**Note: BDUK subsidies are only available until the end of December 2017 and applications can be made online with Connecting Shropshire.

Faster Communications in Ash ?

Airband has submitted a planning application for prior approval for a mast and ancillary equipment in Ash Magna. Telecommunications masts are, subject to certain criteria, permitted development; however the developer must apply for approval for the siting and appearance of the mast. This proposal is to put the mast on agricultural land adjacent to Ash Road and opposite Lambert Grove on the approach to the Village (that is the main through road from Whitchurch into the Village). For details of the application click here.

Plan showing the site of the mast.

For general information on prior notification click here.

Time is of the essence –  if you wish to comment on this application please do so before 4th October 2017. (That means go to the planning application – 17/04443/TEL – on Shropshire Council website, comments tab, or write or e-mail, Shropshire Council planning department!)

Application withdrawn 

Shropshire Biodiversity

Wildflowers

Many of our common wildflowers are in decline. Roadside verges provide vital corridors for wildlife and many are rich in wildflowers.
ash cottageShropshire Council as part of its strategy to protect the countryside and wildlife of Shropshire has a Wildflower Verge Reporting webpage. If you know of roadside verges that are good for wildflowers or have notable plants on them, you can record it here. Once recorded it will be passed on to the highways team who will adjust their mowing regime accordingly, where safe to do so.

Help to protect Biodiversity in Shropshire, National Plant Monitoring Scheme – Find a square


TreesAsh Jubilee Walk - Copy

For 2017/18 Shropshire Council are supporting tree planting in Shropshire by offering community groups and landowners of freely accessible land the opportunity to apply for a limited number of free trees. The scheme operates on a first come first served basis. To find out more click here.

Enjoy the Countryside – Protect Your Natural Environment – Take Your Litter Home!