Parishes in the Macclesfield constituency is set to get better internet.

That's according to Macclesfield MP David Rutley, and his team.

The Conservative MP for Macclesfield since 2010, met with a man with over five years experience in helping deliver superfast broadband.

The office of David Rutley MP said: "Rural broadband and connectivity is a key priority for Macclesfield MP, David Rutley, and it was at the top of the agenda when he met in Kettleshulme with Jack Douglass, Local Delivery Lead for Building Digital UK (BDUK)."

"David heard how up to 16,000 properties in Cheshire, including around 1,800 in the constituency, will be incorporated into plans for gigabit-capable broadband.

"A number of local residents have contacted David, to highlight the challenges they have faced accessing full-fibre broadband in rural villages such as Kettleshulme, Gawsworth, Rainow and Mottram St Andrew. David recognises the importance of faster broadband connectivity, especially with more local residents working remotely."

David also met with, Rob Cloughley, owner of The Swan Inn pub in Kettleshulme, who set out the difficulties businesses face with limited internet capability in rural settings when customers try to make card payments.

Jack Douglass, Rob Cloughley and David Rutley MP. (Image - David Rutley MP)

David has previously been in contact with internet providers such as Openreach, for clarity on their future rollout plans. He has also met with the Chief Executive of BDUK, to discuss the Government's commitment to deliver major digital infrastructure programmes to improve connectivity across the UK, through Project Gigabit, a £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities access gigabit-capable broadband by 2030.

Meeting in Kettleshulme, Mr Douglass set out how the Macclesfield area falls mainly in the Cheshire Project Gigabit procurement area, with Kettleshulme being part of the Peak District plans. David was pleased to hear that through both rollout plans, as many as 21,000 properties could be covered by full-fibre broadband through Project Gigabit supported by £53m of investment.

Mr Douglass informed David that the outline plans are due to be finalised by March 2024 and the aim is for all properties to be connected in the next 3-5 years. More information on the rollout plans, can be found using this clickable red link.

Speaking after the meeting, David said "During the pandemic, with more people working remotely, we saw even more clearly how important reliable and fast internet is.

" It is vital that all local residents in our area, both in urban and rural settings, can access faster broadband. I am pleased plans are being taken forwards, however, it is important they remain on track and residents are regularly updated on progress in their area – I look forward to working with the BDUK team over the months ahead."

Whilst villages were disclosed at the top of this article, the precise Macclesfield postcodes which will benefit have not yet been disclosed.

According to September 2023 GOV.UK data, 73.7% of people in the Macclesfield constituency have gigabit availability.

Whilst this towers over neighbouring constituencies like the High Peak 13.7% and Staffordshire Moorlands at 57.2%, Macclesfield is significantly lower than Stockport constituencies, and just 0.1% above the national average.

Cheshire and the Peak District are amongst the UK areas that will receive investment into Project Gigabit, which the UK government claims is part of a '£5 billion gigabit broadband roll out'.

The average download speed in Macclesfield is 109.9 megabytes per second, lower than the national average of 111.6 megabytes.

4.4% of Macclesfield constituency residents receive less than ten megabytes per second, below the national average.

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