Footpaths in parts of Sandbach are being dug up to allow fibre optic cable to be laid bringing superfast broadband to the town.

But the good news is that Cheshire East Council's highways service is ensuring that planned works to roads and pavements dovetail with the current roll-out of fibre-optic cabling in parts of the borough.

Residents in Heath Road, Sandbach Heath, will have noticed that part of the footpath has been dug up.

The council and companies installing fibre-optic cabling are working together to minimise disruption so that homes and businesses can get connected to superfast broadband.

Lila Connect is installing fibre-optic cable laying in parts of Sandbach during highways improvement works, including pavement resurfacing.

Councillor Craig Browne, chair of Cheshire East Council's highways and transport committee, said: "Councils are often criticised for allowing roads and pavements to be dug up again soon after they have been resurfaced.

"In some instances, we have no choice as legislation allows for this to happen, especially in a local emergency.

"We are working collaboratively with Lila Connect, facilitating their cabling and ducting during our works, thus ensuring no disturbance to newly-completed roads and foot way works where superfast broadband roll out is taking place.

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"Cheshire East highways' resurfacing programmes are under constant review to try to avoid any clash with planned third-party utility works and, while there may be some disruption, we ask the public to bear with us while these works are underway."

The Lila Connect superfast fibre-optic cables being installed in Sandbach will deliver gigabit high speed digital connectivity to hundreds of homes.