MK42 postcode
Broadband in MK42 9HW
Bedford, Bedford
Gigabit broadband is available at this postcode.
Free, independent comparison · Ofcom verified data · Updated 3 March 2026
Flood Risk
Medium
Fibre (FTTP)
No
Best speed
67% Gigabit
Speed Calculator
Adjust the options below to see how much broadband speed your household needs.
HD uses ~5 Mbps per person. 4K uses ~25 Mbps.
Each person on calls needs around 10 Mbps.
Competitive gaming needs low latency as much as raw speed.
Cameras, thermostats, speakers and similar devices each use a few Mbps.
Gigabit broadband (67% Gigabit) is available at MK42 9HW. That covers your 14 Mbps needs with room to spare.
Speed Test
Check your current download speed and see how it compares to what is available at MK42 9HW.
The test downloads a 2 MB file from our server and measures how long it takes.
This test measures download speed only. Results vary depending on network conditions.
Broadband availability
Source: Ofcom Connected Nations 2025 (Jul 2025)
| Technology | Available | Coverage | Typical Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (ADSL) | 100% | 100% | 10-20 Mbps |
| Superfast (30+ Mbps) | 100% | 100% | 30-80 Mbps |
| Ultrafast (100+ Mbps) | 67% | 67% | 100-300 Mbps |
| Full Fibre (FTTP) | N/A | N/A | 300-900 Mbps |
| Gigabit | 67% | 67% | 900-1,000 Mbps |
Real-World Speeds at MK42 9HW
Based on 25 Ookla Speedtest results (Q4 2025)
Download
285
Mbps
Upload
173
Mbps
Latency
7
ms
Tests
25
results
Source: Ookla Speedtest Open Data (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cell Tower Coverage near MK42 9HW
Source: OpenStreetMap Contributors
Mobile coverage
4G & 5G coverage · Ofcom Connected Nations 2025
4G Outdoor
4G Indoor
5G Outdoor
Networks with 4G
Crime summary
Based on Police.uk data for 2025-12Total crimes last month: 364
Schools nearby
Nearest schools within 5 miles · Ofsted ratings as at Jan 2026
| School | Type | Ofsted | Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shackleton Primary School | Primary | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.2 mi |
| Cherry Trees Nursery School | Nursery | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.3 mi |
| Bedford Academy | Secondary | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.3 mi |
| King's Oak Primary School | Primary | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.3 mi |
| Elstow School | Primary | Not available | ★★★☆☆ | 0.7 mi |
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Flood risk
Zone 2/3
🟠
Flood risk: Medium
This postcode is in Zone 2/3 — medium risk of flooding from rivers and sea.
Flood Zone
Zone 2/3
Risk Level
Medium
Air quality
Particulate matter & nitrogen dioxide levels
Fair air quality
Air quality data not available.
WHO guideline: 15 μg/m³
WHO guideline: 45 μg/m³
WHO guideline: 25 μg/m³
Area demographics
Data for LSOA: Bedford 015A
Population
1,540
Census 2021
Density
7309
per km² · Dense urban
Median Age
32
years (est.)
Estimated from area type (density-based); exact value requires Census TS007 age breakdown
Deprivation index (IMD)
English Indices of Deprivation 2019 · LSOA: E01017472
Overall IMD Decile
2 / 10
Most deprived
Ranked
4,140
of 32,844 areas
Decile 10 = least deprived 10% of England. Decile 1 = most deprived 10%. Based on Bedford 015A (2019 boundaries).
| Domain | Decile | Rank | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | 2 | 3,306 | Most deprived |
| Employment | 2 | 5,100 | Most deprived |
| Education | 2 | 49 | Most deprived |
| Health | 2 | N/A | Most deprived |
| Crime | 3 | N/A | Below average |
Transport links
Nearest train stations and towns
Nearest train stations
No train stations found within 15 miles
EV charging nearby
Public EV charging points within 5 miles
EV Charger
0.9 mi
away
BP Pulse
0.9 mi
away
EV Charger
1.0 mi
away
EV Charger
1.0 mi
away
EV Charger
1.0 mi
away
Council tax bands
Band distribution for Bedford
Most common: Band C
~£1,841/yr · Bedford
Annual council tax estimates for Bedford, 2024/25
EPC energy ratings
Energy Performance Certificate distribution for this area
Most common: Band A
EPC score 92–100
GP surgeries nearby
Nearest NHS GP practices
LONDON ROAD HEALTH CENTRE
new patients
EAST BEDFORD PCN
new patients
CAULDWELL MEDICAL CENTRE
new patients
ICDS
new patients
HUC B&L IUC SERVICE
new patients
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Check Deals →Living near MK42 9HW
Bedford is home to MK42 9HW. Whether you live here or plan to move, the data below paints a clear picture. Broadband, schools, crime, house prices, and local services all follow. The numbers speak for themselves.
100% of premises at MK42 9HW can access superfast broadband. The UK average is 93%. This postcode meets or exceeds that benchmark. Ultrafast broadband (100 Mbps+) reaches 66.7% of properties. Over half of premises have access to faster tiers. Gigabit-capable connections cover 66.7% of premises. Gigabit is available but not yet widespread at this postcode. The maximum download speed recorded is 67% Gigabit. That is above the UK real-world average of 69 Mbps.
Translating the numbers at MK42 9HW into daily use gives a clearer picture. Upload speeds average 172.99 Mbps. That handles HD video calls, cloud backups, and uploading large files without issues. 4K streaming is possible on one device at a time. HD streaming works across multiple devices. Latency is 7 ms. That is excellent for online gaming, competitive play, and real-time applications. Remote working is viable here. Video conferencing, cloud documents, and VPN connections should all perform well.
Real-world download speeds at MK42 9HW average 285.07 Mbps based on Ookla Speedtest data. This reflects what people actually get, not just what providers advertise. Upload speeds average 172.99 Mbps. Latency sits at 7 ms. That is excellent for responsive browsing and gaming. This is based on 25 speed tests run by local users.
The nearest tower is 5.19 km away.
Crime in the LSOA covering MK42 9HW totalled 364 offences last month. This is a higher than average figure. The most common category was violent crime. Other frequent types include anti social behaviour and other theft. Data comes from Police.uk at LSOA level. One month is a snapshot, not a trend.
Shackleton Primary School is the closest school at 0.24 miles. It is a Primary school. Ofsted rates it as Not available. There are 5 schools within a few miles of this postcode.
Flood risk at MK42 9HW is rated Medium (Zone 2/3). Check Environment Agency flood maps for detailed information. Specialist flood insurance may be needed. Air quality is rated Fair with PM2.5 at 1.4 micrograms per cubic metre.
The LSOA covering MK42 9HW has a population of approximately 1540. Median age is 32. That is close to the national median of 40.
Stockport station is the closest rail link at 114.2 miles from MK42 9HW. The station is some distance away. Consider driving, or check for direct bus routes. Ashton-under-Lyne is the next closest at 117.1 miles. Manchester Piccadilly offers another option at 119.9 miles.
The most common council tax band near MK42 9HW is Band C. The billing authority is Bedford. The three most common bands are C (28%), D (24%), B (18%). Band C corresponds to 1991 property values of £52,001 to £68,000. Current values are typically much higher. The spread across mid-range bands suggests a varied housing stock.
Outdoor 4G mobile signal at MK42 9HW is available across 100% of the area. Indoor 4G drops to 99.7%. Indoor coverage is close to outdoor levels. Signal should be reliable throughout the building. 5G outdoor coverage is at 98.9%. That makes 5G home broadband a genuine alternative to fixed-line connections. Coverage data covers EE, O2, Three, Vodafone. Check each operator individually, as coverage varies by network.
Suitability scores for MK42 9HW: remote working 70/100, family 50/100, value 50/100. Broadband is adequate for most remote working needs.
MK42 9HW falls within the Bedford local authority area. The MK42 postcode area contains 1233 postcodes on this site. Superfast broadband across MK42 ranges from 0% to 100%. MK42 9HW is close to the area average of 98%.
How does MK42 9HW compare to its neighbours? MK42 9SN (0.03 miles, Bedford, unparished area) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. MK42 0EN (0.04 miles, Bedford, unparished area) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. MK42 9SL (0.06 miles, Bedford, unparished area) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. MK42 0EW (0.08 miles, Bedford, unparished area) has 100% superfast coverage and 100% gigabit. Coverage is broadly similar across these neighbouring postcodes.
Not every property at MK42 9HW gets the same speeds. Run a postcode check with each provider before signing up. Headline speeds are not guarantees. If fibre is unavailable, consider 4G home broadband or satellite as alternatives. Speeds may still be adequate for most uses. Compare contract lengths, total costs over the term, and exit fees. The cheapest monthly rate is not always the best deal.
The age profile is close to the national median. A mix of families, professionals, and retirees.
What does all of this mean for someone considering MK42 9HW? Connectivity at MK42 9HW is a strength. Strong broadband coverage gives flexibility for both working and leisure. The area scores well on that front. Bedford as a local authority area has its own planning priorities, council services, and infrastructure investment plans. Check the council website for the latest. The data covers what can be measured. Bedford has its own character that numbers alone cannot capture. Use these figures as a filter, then visit to get the full picture.
Data sources include Ofcom (broadband and mobile), Land Registry (house prices), Police.uk (crime), Ofsted (schools), Environment Agency (flood risk), and Open-Meteo (air quality). Council tax data comes from the Valuation Office Agency. EPC data is from DLUHC. Transport data uses NaPTAN. Speed distribution figures are from Ofcom Connected Nations. All figures are the latest available at the time of writing.
Data is a starting point for Bedford. Walk the streets at different times. Test your mobile signal. Check parking, noise levels, and the feel of the neighbourhood. Run a speed test on the actual connection. Some things only a visit can reveal.
MK42 9HW in Bedford: broadband, house prices, crime, schools, and more. All from verified sources. Run a speed test above for a live reading. Compare with nearby postcodes to see how this area stacks up against its neighbours.
Frequently asked questions about MK42 9HW
What are the broadband speeds available at MK42 9HW?
Superfast broadband (30 Mbps+) is available to 100% of premises at MK42 9HW. Maximum download speeds reach 67% Gigabit. Ultrafast coverage is at 66.7%.
What is the average house price near MK42 9HW?
No recent house price data is available for MK42 9HW.
What is the flood risk for properties at MK42 9HW?
MK42 9HW has a Medium flood risk rating, classified as Zone 2/3. Check Environment Agency maps for detail.
What schools are nearby in the MK42 9HW area?
The nearest school is Shackleton Primary School (Primary), 0.24 miles away. There are 5 schools within a few miles.
How does crime rate in MK42 9HW compare to other areas?
364 offences were recorded in this LSOA area in the latest month. This is above average for England and Wales.
How suitable is MK42 9HW for remote working?
MK42 9HW scores 70/100 for remote working suitability. Broadband is adequate for most remote tasks.
What is the mobile signal like at MK42 9HW?
4G outdoor coverage at MK42 9HW is 100%. 5G reaches 98.9%. Indoor coverage may be lower.
What is the most common energy efficiency rating near MK42 9HW?
EPC data for MK42 9HW is being updated. Check the EPC register for individual property ratings.
What is the council tax band distribution at MK42 9HW?
The most common council tax band near MK42 9HW is Band C. The billing authority is Bedford.
How accessible are GP surgeries near MK42 9HW?
GP surgery data for MK42 9HW is being updated. Check NHS.uk for the latest.
What transport links are available near MK42 9HW?
The nearest train station to MK42 9HW is Stockport, 114.2 miles away. Ashton-under-Lyne is also nearby.
Is MK42 9HW a suitable area for families?
MK42 9HW scores 50/100 for family suitability. Check school and crime sections above for detail.
What is the air quality like at MK42 9HW?
Air quality at MK42 9HW is rated Fair. PM2.5 levels are 1.4 micrograms per cubic metre. Sensitive individuals should take note.
How far is the nearest EV charging point from MK42 9HW?
EV charging data for MK42 9HW is being updated. Check Zap-Map for the latest.
Can I get full fibre broadband at MK42 9HW?
Ultrafast broadband (100 Mbps+) reaches 66.7% of premises. Check Openreach and local operators for FTTP availability.
Area suitability scores
MK42 9HWRemote Worker
70Based on superfast broadband coverage, FTTP %, and 4G mobile outdoor coverage.
Family
50Based on Ofsted school ratings, crime rate, flood risk, and GP surgery proximity.
Value for Money
50Based on broadband quality relative to average house price in the area.
Map
Area info
Parish
Bedford
District
Bedford
Region
Constituency
LSOA
E01017472
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