• The joint Vision/Town Council proposals for Woodleigh and Scar Top are welcome. Woodleigh should remain the base for local government in the town.
• Councillor John Watson
• Visiting Haltwhistle recently I saw that during the summer throughout the town the fittings used to hold small Xmas trees above shops (similar to those in Barnard Castle) hold small flags with a logo and welcome message. Let's do this in Barnard Castle.
• Mike Way
• Text VISION and your message to 07781474422, email us, or fill out this form.

Broadband

NEW Wireless Barnard Castle and next generation broadband for Teesdale? A recent report produced by the Vision partnership, concluded that the there is a poor broadband supply in Teesdale with some significant gaps in provision. A local survey solicited 219 responses with 90% of these requesting better broadband.  The Vision is working closely with DurhamNet who are a major internet service provide in the area. DurhamNet is a public sector enterprise, which is primarily a provider of connectivity and broadband services to the public and community sectors and strategic support to the private sector. Durham Net is also developing projects to improve broadband provision including in the rural areas . They are working at the forefront of broadband technology using fibre and microwave technologies.  The Vision will be starting work on a two-phase project to make Barnard Castle a Wireless Town by the Autumn 08. The technology used will be wi-fi meaning that anyone with a wifi enabled device such as a laptop, PDA and some mobile phones will be able to access information and online services whilst in Barnard Castle Town centre.  This will enable access to competitive broadband, based around a high specification service, with a bandwidth not currently available. Wireless Barnard Castle will enable businesses to increase their usage of the internet, help them to generate new business opportunities and support those developing new business ideas.   Further developments will be dependent on a round of funding bids which if successful will enable work to commence filing in the “broadband gaps” across the dale.

Enterprise House offers pay-as-you-go broadband access and office facilities for businesses and homeworkers who need to access the internet, or have somewhere to hold meetings. If you have an interrupted broadband service, or find yourself with time in town between meetings, you can use your time effectively. For information telephone Julia on 01833 696750 or email: julia@e-house.co.uk www.e-house.co.uk.

Public access points - Barnard Castle Library has 6 internet PCs with 75% usage by residents (70%) and visitors (30%) during opening hours. The Tourist Information Centre has two public internet PCs and BT OpenZone wireless internet access. It is the only BT Wi-Fi OpenZone in Barnard Castle. The only other Wi-Fi hotspot in Teesdale is at Headlam Hall Hotel operated through the T-Mobile UK network.

BT exchange & broadband - The local exchange in Barnard Castle supports ADSL broadband up to 8Mb (depending upon distance from the exchange and the contract you have with your internet service provider). The exchange is due for an upgrade in 2010. You can check what level of service you should be able to receive at www.dslzoneuk.net/maxspeed.php.

Background - In 2003, TeesdaleNet (Teesdale Marketing, Teesdale Village Halls Consortium, Teesdale District Council and the Enterprise Agency) campaigned to bring broadband provision to Teesdale. TeesdaleNet mapped the Dale for suitable delivery methods, campaigned BT, liaised with One North East to access funding and equipment and supported the implementation of wireless broadband facilities by DurhamNet at Enterprise House in Barnard Castle and a pilot project throughout the Dale in association with the Village Halls Consortium. In 2004 TeesdaleNet created the gateway www.teesdale.co.uk.