HOPES that a borough village would qualify for a scheme that would see the widespread installation of superfast broadband have been dashed - not without a touch of controversy.

Residents in Horndon on the Hill were hoping that enough people from the village would express an interest in BT Openreach's Community Fibre project.

Under the scheme Openreach acknowledges that it is unlikely a particular area would sit high on its list of priorities but with the support of communities they will create a partnership to take fibre broadband to homes and businesses.

Openreach will share some of the costs of the project as part of a joint funding arrangement and the community funds the rest. Residents and businesses were offered vouchers from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport which they had to complete and return.

Openreach would then build the most affordable solution given the finance available.

Residents and businesses in Horndon were canvassed by a group of residents who worked together to try and bring about the upgrade but now one of them, Kelly Judge, has reported they have been told there was not enough support locally.

She says: "It is with some disappointment that after several weeks of contact with Openreach we have finally received the message that we should abandon the community fibre project and let the faster broadband rollout naturally.

"Unfortunately, not enough pledges have been verified and we were advised not o take any further action regarding the community project. Openreach have advised that our area is included in the rural rollout of FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) installation expected within 18 to 24 months.

"We would like to thank residents for all your support, patience and co-operation with this project, it has been much appreciated. This is not the outcome we expected or desired but the good news is we are in line to receive faster broadband within 24 months as advised by Openreach!"

However, some residents say that they feel let down by Openreach and that the system to register didn't work properly.

One says: "I think after all your hard work it is awful. So many people didn't receive the vouchers so how could we verify them. All that hard work and it is just another excuse", while another adds: "If I had received the voucher I would have sent it back". And a third confirms: "We received no voucher."

Last year Thurrock Council welcomed a separate initiative by the government and Openreach to help bring about a faster broadband roll-out across the borough.

In June it welcomed the initiative with leader Cllr Rob Gledhill saying: "In this digital age and during the current coronavirus pandemic, it is more crucial than ever that residents and businesses have the best possible connectivity and this infrastructure programme is a vital step in enabling gigabit broadband across the borough.

"These works deliver some of the fastest broadband connections in the UK to schools, community services and care facilities across South Essex."

A council statement added: "The broadband boost will enable providers to deliver some of the fastest connections in the country to Thurrock residents and businesses, is the result of a successful bid to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by the Association of South Essex Local Authorities. It is expected to be delivered by May 2021."