Gerrards Cross will get access to full fibre broadbrand, Openreach has announced this week.

Openreach has outlined plans to make “ultra-reliable and gigabit-capable” full fibre broadband available to thousands of homes and businesses in 21 cities, towns and villages across the south east - including just one in Bucks, Gerrards Cross.

The town will be upgraded by Openreach, without taxpayer subsidy and it’s hoped that having access to some of the fastest broadband speeds in Europe will boost their post-Covid economic recovery.

Work is expected to get under way in many of the announced locations within the next 12-18 months.

Laura Whelan, Openreach’s Partnership Director for the South East, said: “We’ve already upgraded tens of thousands of homes and business across the south east to Full Fibre.

“As well as keeping the existing network running throughout the Covid-19 crisis, our engineers have, safely and with social distancing in place, continued building the new infrastructure to make sure our network is there to support families, businesses and the economic recovery.”

The move has been welcomed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), which represents rural businesses, landowners and farmers.

Mark Bridgeman, CLA President, said: “This announcement from Openreach is a welcome step towards eradicating the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

“Connectivity has played a vital part in home working during the Covid-19 pandemic and, with many individuals and businesses considering a move to the countryside, it’s essential that rural communities continue to receive better coverage.

“Greater digital connectivity in the countryside will play a critical role in the nation’s economic recovery, allowing businesses to invest, grow and recruit long into the future.”