Connect Fibre supports Bennerley Viaduct with £500 donation after exploring connectivity options
Connect Fibre, the community-first full fibre broadband provider, has donated £500 to support the development of the Bennerley Viaduct visitor centre, which borders Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. This was following an in-depth feasibility assessment to explore potential broadband solutions for the historic site.
Known as the ‘Iron Giant’, Bennerley Viaduct is a remarkable example of Victorian engineering and a vital local heritage attraction. When the viaduct’s trustees reached out for help bringing connectivity to the site, Connect Fibre stepped in – committed to offering technical insight and exploring all possible solutions.
After visiting the site, Connect Fibre’s team found that the viaduct’s listed status and the visitor centre’s location in a dip made a direct wireless connection to the company’s nearby network technically unfeasible. Despite this, Connect Fibre provided expert advice on the most practical alternatives available, recommending the use of existing ducting and guidance on overcoming challenges on the site to benefit from full fibre.
To support the viaduct’s continued development, Connect Fibre has made a £500 donation. as part of its social value commitment under the UK government's Project Gigabit.
Stefan Stanislawski, CEO of Connect Fibre, commented:
“We use our expertise to support local communities and heritage projects so while we weren’t able to connect Bennerley Viaduct directly, we were proud to offer clear, honest advice to help them find the best path forward. It’s a truly special place – and we’re delighted to support its future.”
The donation will help enhance the visitor experience at the centre, ensuring more people can enjoy the story and legacy of this iconic structure.
For more information about Connect Fibre and its community programmes, visit connectfibre.co.uk.
About Project Gigabit
Connect Fibre is delivering a £33 million Project Gigabit contract to provide over 17,000 premises across Derbyshire with access to gigabit-capable broadband.
Project Gigabit is the government-funded programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access fast, reliable gigabit-capable broadband. It targets homes and businesses that are not included in broadband suppliers’ commercial plans, reaching parts of the UK that might otherwise miss out on upgrades to next-generation speeds.
