RESIDENTS and businesses in Tenbury Wells will receive a high-speed fibre broadband network without disrupting the ongoing regeneration of the town centre.

Eight new fibre broadband cabinets serving more than 2,000 premises will be installed by Superfast Worcestershire, a partnership between Worcestershire County Council, BT, and the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme.

Important preliminary underground work was brought forward to reduce disruption to businesses and residents and to prevent the digging up of newly-laid surfaces as part of the regeneration.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: “It was great to see all the partners working together so that this work could be completed.

“We can now continue with our plans to deliver high speed fibre broadband to Tenbury.”

The installation of the network could have been delayed for as long as five years due to laws restricting further works on streets after completion of major roadworks, like those planned in Tenbury.

Chad Clarke, BT project manager at BDUK Worcestershire, said: “We have regular meetings with the council about any projects they are working on.

“We were proactive and moved the installation forward – it’s in everyone’s interests.

“There will be a lot of benefits to the local economy and people will be able to work from home more easily.”

The improvements to the town centre started in Market Street in the middle of January, with footpaths being re-laid with sandstone and blue block paving materials.

Further plans include resurfacing the road and providing new features that will increase the attractiveness of the town centre, such as new bins and planters.

The regeneration is expected to be completed by Easter.

Visit worcestershire.gov.uk/tenbury for the latest information on the developments.