OPENREACH has been criticised for failing to finish a fibre broadband scheme, leaving homes and businesses struggling.

Despite setbacks, work to connect the rural community of Brithdir near Dolgellau to fibre broadband began earlier this year.

Despite an initial flurry of activity, and with around half the properties linked up to fibre broadband, work has come to a halt and around 34 properties and businesses have been left to struggle with slow connection speeds and regular network dropouts, it has been claimed.

Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts and MS Mabon ap Gwynfor are calling on Openreach to finish the job and honour a long-standing commitment to connect Brithdir to fibre broadband.

Their call is echoed by Gwynedd Councillor, Delyth Lloyd Griffiths.

The MP and MS said: “We are deeply concerned that Openreach has decided to put the roll-out of fibre broadband to 34 properties in Brithdir on indefinite hold - having only connected around half the households in the area.

“This project has been plagued by setbacks from the outset.

“People living in rural areas are already at a significant disadvantage when it comes to accessing fast and reliable broadband.

“It should be appreciated that rural businesses and those working from home find the slow pace at which fibre broadband is being delivered extremely frustrating.

“What makes this situation worse is the disparity of service within one community, with some now able to access fast reliable internet whilst their neighbours across the road continue to struggle with snail’s pace speeds.

“Our constituents were led to believe work to connect the whole community was on track. The fact Openreach have now indicated they have no immediate plans to link up 34 remaining households is disappointing to say the least.

“We urge Openreach to provide those remaining households and businesses with a realistic and reliable timescale for completion of works and honour their commitment to help rural communities in our constituency achieve faster broadband.”

Cllr Griffiths added: “Residents have informed me of their experiences downloading items taking more than 12 hours at times. Some have had a date confirming when they will be connected but this leaves people feeling there is gross inequality as some residents and businesses are left behind in this digital era.

“This part of Gwynedd deserves so much more. Sole traders and self-employed people are the backbone of our economy in areas like Brithdir.

“We are grateful to our Senedd Member and local MP for their support in pursuing this matter. As a team, Plaid Cymru will leave no stone unturned in supporting our local residents regarding this matter.”

Openreach said: “We have every sympathy with the frustrations of those residents in Brithdir who do not come under BT’s USO scheme. To be clear no decision has been taken on the remaining properties that aren’t part of the USO but we hope to be in a position to inform the community of the next steps shortly.”