A new cycle path between the University of Essex and the town of Wivenhoe could give an internet speed boost to residents.
According to the Essex County Standard, Essex County Council has examined five possible routes for the new path. Colchester Council says any of the four options that use Colchester Road would give it the opportunity to install open access fibre optic broadband to Wivenhoe.
A report by council officers said: “Allowing for fibre optic cabling within the design of the cycleway potentially offers construction cost sharing with the fibre provider and reduced disruption for residents.”
Paul Smith, councillor for business and resources at the borough council, said: “We are well aware about the need to improve broadband speeds across the borough with benefits not just for private users, but businesses as well.
“Our partner, County Broadband, has already done some installations in areas such as Abberton, mainly using line of sight technology, but Wivenhoe presents a problem geographically because it is well shielded by Clingoe Hill.
“The tricky part is always the cost, but there is some national and county council funding available.
“This is an encouraging situation and it may be that by doing the cycle route we could substantially reduce the costs of putting in the cable.”
The university is stumping up the £250,000 cost of the bike path as part of a planning agreement that sees it also building a multi-storey car park.
Locals have welcomed the prospect of faster internet speeds.
Ginny Waters, owner of the Wivenhoe Bookshop, said: “Having fibre optic broadband would definitely be good for us.
“All of our ordering to suppliers is done online and we sell books online and run a website, so we really are on the web a lot.”
Jane Knight, owner of Wivenhoe Pets, is about to close her bricks-and-mortar shop and switch to a mobile business.
“The internet will the basis of my business, she said. “Having faster broadband would be fantastic.”
If the idea of different service providers cooperating like this rings a bell, maybe you're thinking of this video:
I was heavily involved in the development of this cycle....
WTF the guy is obviously incapable of driving. He probably has to eat all his meals with a spoon so he doesn't poke his eyes out!
No you numpty. If you're driving around in a 2 Tonne lump of metal and you kill somebody (who really is innocent of committing any crime), due to...
I don't need to. I work out my frustrations arguing with people on websites. Calms me down a treat 😂
Fairings certainly won't help in that regard. Though I certainly wouldn't object to taking a few on a ride.
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Bidon! And frankly if it's not "vinasse" laced with strychnine and/or amphetamines it's against the spirit of the original tour...
I hope the publicity either gets things going with the airlines or that someone lends Sian a bike.
I've got a gravel bike with GRX, that's 46/30 with an 11-34t cassette. I prefer the lower gears, even for on-road use. Top speed is limited to...
True - it's toad licking that you want to avoid