MK42 postcode

Broadband in MK42 9HW

Bedford, Bedford

Gigabit broadband is available at this postcode.

Best speed67% Gigabit
StandardSuperfastGigabit
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Free, independent comparison · Ofcom verified data · Updated 3 March 2026

Flood Risk

Medium

Fibre (FTTP)

No

Best speed

67% Gigabit

Reviewed by Sage MitchellData last verified: 3 March 2026

Speed Calculator

Adjust the options below to see how much broadband speed your household needs.

2
18

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.

Estimated speed needed14 Mbps

Gigabit broadband (67% Gigabit) is available at MK42 9HW. That covers your 14 Mbps needs with room to spare.

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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)

TechnologyAvailableCoverageTypical 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
Gigabit67%
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

No cell towers found within 2 km. Mobile signal may be weak in this area.

Source: OpenStreetMap Contributors

Mobile coverage

4G & 5G coverage · Ofcom Connected Nations 2025

4G Outdoor

100%

4G Indoor

99.7%

5G Outdoor

98.9%

Networks with 4G

EEO2ThreeVodafone
Ofcom Connected Nations 2025 (Jul 2025) · Data at local authority area level

Crime summary

Based on Police.uk data for 2025-12

Total crimes last month: 364

violent crime38%139
anti social behaviour12%42
other theft8%30
public order7%26
shoplifting7%25
vehicle crime7%25
drugs5%20
criminal damage arson5%20
burglary3%12
robbery2%8
bicycle theft2%8
possession of weapons1%5
other crime1%3
theft from the person0%1

Schools nearby

Nearest schools within 5 miles · Ofsted ratings as at Jan 2026

SchoolTypeOfstedRatingDistance
Shackleton Primary SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.2 mi
Cherry Trees Nursery SchoolNurseryNot available★★★☆☆0.3 mi
Bedford AcademySecondaryNot available★★★☆☆0.3 mi
King's Oak Primary SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.3 mi
Elstow SchoolPrimaryNot 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

Environment Agency flood risk data

Air quality

Particulate matter & nitrogen dioxide levels

Fair air quality

Air quality data not available.

PM2.5 (fine particles)1.4 μg/m³

WHO guideline: 15 μg/m³

PM10 (coarse particles) μg/m³

WHO guideline: 45 μg/m³

NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide) μg/m³

WHO guideline: 25 μg/m³

Open-Meteo Air Quality API · Guidelines: WHO 2021

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

Census 2021 (ONS via Nomis NM_2028_1, NM_2026_1)

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).

DomainDecileRankAssessment
Income23,306Most deprived
Employment25,100Most deprived
Education249Most deprived
Health2N/AMost deprived
Crime3N/ABelow average
English Indices of Deprivation 2019 (MHCLG)

Transport links

Nearest train stations and towns

Nearest train stations

No train stations found within 15 miles

NaPTAN · Straight-line distances

EV charging nearby

Public EV charging points within 5 miles

🔋

EV Charger

Type 2

0.9 mi

away

🔋

BP Pulse

Type 22 points

0.9 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.0 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.0 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.0 mi

away

OpenStreetMap Overpass API (replaces decommissioned DFT National Chargepoint Registry, which closed Nov 2024) · Within 5 miles

Council tax bands

Band distribution for Bedford

C

Most common: Band C

1,841/yr · Bedford

A
7%£1,381
B
18%£1,611
C
28%£1,841
D
24%£2,071
E
13%£2,531
F
6%£2,991
G
3%£3,452
H
1%£4,142

Annual council tax estimates for Bedford, 2024/25

Valuation Office Agency (VOA) · Check exact band at gov.uk

EPC energy ratings

Energy Performance Certificate distribution for this area

A

Most common: Band A

EPC score 92–100

A
0%
B
0%
C
0%
D
0%
E
0%
F
0%
G
0%
EPC Open Data Communities API

GP surgeries nearby

Nearest NHS GP practices

1

LONDON ROAD HEALTH CENTRE

MK42 0NT·0.4 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

2

EAST BEDFORD PCN

MK42 0NT·0.4 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

3

CAULDWELL MEDICAL CENTRE

MK42 9DJ·0.7 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

4

ICDS

MK42 9DJ·0.7 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

5

HUC B&L IUC SERVICE

MK42 9QG·0.7 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

NHS website (NHS.uk find a GP) · Nearest 3 GP practicesFind a GP →

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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 9HW

Remote Worker

70

Based on superfast broadband coverage, FTTP %, and 4G mobile outdoor coverage.

Family

50

Based on Ofsted school ratings, crime rate, flood risk, and GP surgery proximity.

Value for Money

50

Based 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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