Fibre Optic Cables To Be Laid In Blenheim

The arrival of ultra fast broadband for central Blenheim and the northern side of Springlands means that pavement works and potholes are going to be a common sight around these streets until the middle of 2013.

Telecom’s subsidiary Chorus is installing the fibre optic cable that will be needed in every street, including leads from each cable to every property. This cable already exists in some streets but there are going to be a lot of streets where drilling and trenching will be required.

The Council is rearranging its footpath maintenance programme to make sure that, wherever possible, streets are not being dug up twice in the months ahead.

The footpath resealing and resurfacing planned by the Council will still be necessary in some places but, in general, this maintenance work will be done in conjunction with the Chorus works to keep down cost and inconvenience.

Council has asked that streets around schools be dealt with during school holidays to minimise pedestrian issues.

Blenheim is one of the first places in New Zealand to get ultra fast broadband as part of the government’s plans to introduce faster internet access across the country.