RESIDENTS of a remote area of the Yorkshire Dales, which has been overlooked in the national high speed broadband programme, have got together to improve internet access in their community.

Properties in Raydale, near Hawes, are set to received anticipated speeds of up to 40 Mbps after local people installed and took on the management of a wifi-based network system linking properties to a place where fibre broadband connections are available.

Initially, 20 properties have been connected.

The scheme has been supported by a £5,000 grant from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund.

Gavin Edwards, of Yoredale Computer Services, working with Raydaleside Community Broadband, said: “So far, five satellite broadband systems have been replaced, with all those connected saying how much internet performance has improved.

“It is easy to see the positive impact on the local community and economy. It should make Raydale an even more attractive place to live, work and visit.”

Chris Clark, the authority’s Member Champion for Sustainable Development, said: “Part of our shared vision for the national park is that it should be home to strong, self-reliant and balanced communities with good access to the services they need. Access to good quality broadband is critical to that, and is a real challenge for small, remote communities that have been overlooked in the national roll-out so far.

“The working farms and variety of other businesses and families with children at local schools who are all benefitting from the new broadband system in Raydale are the lifeblood of our rural communities.”