A GROUNDBREAKING project which uses wireless technology to create a broadband hotspot in a Worcestershire village has won financial support to expand its service.

Martley Web Mesh has received £5,000 from the Nexus Grant Scheme to buy extra radio equipment.

For years, Martley and its surrounding hamlets had been unable to get high-speed internet connections in some areas due to their distance from the telephone exchanges, difficult landscape and a lack of investment in the ageing infrastructure.

This led to a small group of villagers creating the not-for-profit organisation known as Martley Web Mesh about three years ago.

Using the latest wireless technology, Martley Web Mesh enables provision of up to two megabits per second of broadband to local homes and businesses without the need for major investment in the capacity of the telephone line.

John Layton of Martley Web Mesh said: “For a long time, the inability to secure broadband coverage in the village had caused us all sorts of problems. Part of the beauty of this service for the people in the village is they know that, if there’s a problem, it’s a local phone call and they know we will be able to help them quickly, which is great, particularly for the older villagers. Not having suitable broadband access really was a problem for people of all ages and we’re delighted to have found a solution to this.

“This is the first project of its kind that we’re aware of in the West Midlands and there are only a handful of similar schemes nationally. The Nexus funding was very helpful indeed in enabling us to buy equipment to upgrade the service, particularly as we operate as a not-for-profit organisation and we try to keep the cost as low as possible.”

The Web Mesh is run by a small team of volunteers – including Mr Layton, Richard Jackman, Tom Pearsall, John Nicklin, Michelle Higgins and Margaret Colburn – and currently services more than 100 computers across the community, including businesses such as an electrical contractor, the local B&B and the village pub.

This means that many of the residents who commute to places such as Worcester or Birmingham have the option of working from home, youngsters who need the internet for their studies have access and businesses are able to compete on a level playing field with those based in urban areas. Additionally, free access is provided to the village hall for anybody to use.