Farming Today

15/10/20 - Rural broadband, fish refuge pools and rights away on farmland.

Farming Today

In rural areas broadband has been an issue for years as the topography and isolated nature of some communities has made getting a fast, reliable connection tricky and expensive. So when will the situation improve - and will the increase in people working from home give the project impetus? Charlotte Smith speaks to Openreach. We visit a trial site on the River Lodden in Berkshire where they are digging refuge ponds for fish to protect them from flooding and pollution incidents. And how do you protect walkers from livestock? Several rural groups are coming together to try to get the Government to allow farmers to temporarily divert rights of way when livestock are present. But although the Ramblers are sympathetic to the problems, they say they are unimpressed with this proposed solution. We find out more. Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Heather Simons

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