More than half a million more homes in rural areas are to gain access to faster broadband as the government continues its £5 billion gigabit rollout. Some 567,000 properties in remote parts of Cheshire, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Essex, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire are in line for the gigabit speed boost, which is the equivalent to 1,000 megabits per second. Such speeds make it possible for a user to download an HD movie in less than 30 seconds. The investment is part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s target of achieving at least 85 per cent gigabit-capable UK coverage by 2025, which officials have said is “on track” to be met. At present, the UK has 57 per cent coverage.