A “long battle” for high-speed internet in further-out Barnet wards is drawing to a close as work begins to bring fibre-optic signal to 40,000 overlooked homes.

Virgin Media’s ‘Project Lightning’ is a £3 billion initiative to bring “ultrafast” broadband to the UK.

Long overlooked for speedy internet signal, High Barnet and Underhill are among the newly targeted areas which will be given fibre optic.

Work begins in the area later this month, expanding into Friern Barnet in March – it is expected to bring the faster internet reception to up to 40,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2018.

The Barnet Society identified nine specific areas by their broadband cabinets, which provide broadband to homes within a certain radius, as priority for an upgrade.

Fellow internet provider BT announced it was including five of the cabinets in their next round of upgrades, with a sixth cabinet upgraded from funding provided by local residents.

Four are now in use, with a cabinet covering the Bells Hill area going live to residents in October last year after connections were made in July.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said: “This news from Virgin Media is very positive, and I am pleased to hear feedback from residents about priority areas has been taken into account.

“It is especially good news some homes may receive improved service as early as this summer.

“It has been a long battle for faster broadband provision in Barnet, and one that is not over yet.

“I look forward to continue working with Virgin and with BT to ensure that these vital upgrades are delivered.”

Two more cabinets have been identified for upgrade by BT and are expected to be announced shortly.