Belstone 'cut off' for five weeks for broadband installation

Residents of Belstone woke yesterday (Tuesday) to find that the main road into the village was closed - and will remain so for up to five weeks.

Contractors Fujitsu are digging up the road from Tongue End to install a new BT cable, which will enable all villagers to have a  broadband connection. (Up until now, only a select few have had the service.)

While the work is in progress, access to the village will be only by the winding lane through Priesticott, while those leaving Belstone are asked to drive down the steep Skaigh Lane to Sticklepath.

However, this one-way system through very narrow roads is only 'advisory: your correspondent's first experience of the circuit would suggest that not everyone is taking the advice!

Local businesses are hoping that most will comply with the system, as delivery drivers will find it difficult to negotiate the route, let alone reverse!

Rural access to broadband has been in the news recently. See this Okehampton People post for the national situation.