Fastershire, the faster broadband for Herefordshire and Gloucestershire project, has been making progress with some preliminary works taking place in Ross.

Since contract sign back in December 2012, 161 detailed surveys have been carried out, which have included Herefordshire's first communities – Ross on Wye, St Weonards, Much Marcle, Symonds Yat and Upton Bishop.

Over the next six months 50km of new fibre duct will be laid throughout the Forest of Dean and southern Herefordshire ready for fibre to be blown into it and connected to new street cabinets. This will give the first live fibre services in Ross on Wye by the end of the year.

A postcode and line checker should be available by the end of July on http://www.fastershire.com">www.fastershire.com. Those in an exchange area that is due to go live within 12 months will be able to track progress through to go live. Those outside of 12 months will need to keep checking back.

You can also register on http://www.fastershire.com">www.fastershire.com to receive a regular newsletter from the project.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.