Cornerstone has gained vital planning permission for connectivity infrastructure which will allow improvements to network coverage for visitors and business owners around Whinlatter Forest, home of the longest purpose-built mountain bike trail in the Lake District. The National Park concluded that on balance the benefits of connectivity are outweighed by the limited views of the tower that some visitors may experience.
The connectivity infrastructure, which will be obscured from view points by nearby trees, is part of the Shared Rural Network programme, a Government funded project that will provide network coverage to rural and remote areas currently with little or no network coverage.
The area around the development is home to an extensive network of mountain bike trails. Cyclewise Whinlatter, a local cycle hire, repair and coaching specialist highlighted “better coverage on the mountain trails in Whinlatter Forest will provide our mountain bike coaches with improved means to contact both the shop and emergency services. This will result in enhanced ability to coordinate mountain bike sessions and communicate with hire customers in the forest who are currently uncontactable”.
Cornerstone is committed to developing connectivity infrastructure in rural areas and recently met local stakeholders and community members in Kirkby-in-Furness. The meeting allowed all parties to share and gather information on how to develop connectivity infrastructure in the National Park, and to hear how a lack of coverage affects local residents, visitors and business owners.
