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MK42 postcode

Broadband in MK42 9XD

Bedford, Bedford

Gigabit broadband is available at this postcode.

Best speedGigabit (1Gbps+)
StandardSuperfastGigabit
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Free, independent comparison · Ofcom verified data · Updated 10 March 2026

Flood Risk

Medium

Fibre (FTTP)

TBC

Best speed

Gigabit (1Gbps+)

Reviewed by Sage MitchellData last verified: 10 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 (Gigabit (1Gbps+)) is available at MK42 9XD. 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 9XD.

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)

Living near MK42 9XD

MK42 9XD is in Bedford. This guide pulls together data from Ofcom, Land Registry, Police.uk, and more. Every figure is specific to this postcode or its local area. We cover broadband, real-world speeds, house prices, and crime. Plus schools, flood risk, air quality, transport, and GP access. Use it to compare against other postcodes you're considering.

Broadband at MK42 9XD is solid. Superfast (30Mbps+) reaches 96% of premises. The UK average is around 93%. Bedford beats that. Ultrafast (100Mbps+) covers 96%. Enough for streaming, video calls, and smart home devices. Gigabit connections: 96% coverage. Most homes here can get future-proof speeds.

Ofcom data covers availability. Ookla measures real performance. Average download at MK42 9XD: 404 Mbps. Upload: 187 Mbps. Latency: 10ms. Well above the UK average of around 70 Mbps. 4K streaming on multiple devices at once. No problem. Large file downloads finish in minutes, not hours. Upload speed is strong for cloud backups. Low latency. Good for gaming and video calls. Data from 173 speed tests in this area.

Every premises at MK42 9XD meets the broadband USO. 100% can get 300 Mbps or faster. That's a strong position for the area. Next-gen fibre infrastructure covers 100% of premises. Most of the area has modern fibre connections.

Limited house price data for MK42 9XD. Few residential sales on record here. Could be a commercial area, new development, or rental-heavy. Land Registry only records completed sales. Rentals and new-builds under shared ownership may not appear. Check Rightmove or Zoopla for current asking prices. Talk to local estate agents for a ground-level view.

Police.uk data: 246 incidents last month. That's higher than most areas. Urban centres tend to record more incidents. Most common type: violent crime (89). Second: anti social behaviour (27). Third: other theft (26). Crime data is at LSOA level, not postcode. Nearby postcodes share these figures. The area covers roughly 1,500 residents. Check the full trend on Police.uk before deciding.

Five schools near MK42 9XD. Nearest: Elstow School. Distance: 0.34 miles. Type: Primary. Second nearest: Bedford Academy (0.41 mi). Also: Shackleton Primary School (0.47 mi). Reasonable school options. Check individual school catchment areas for your address.

Flood risk: Medium. Zone: Zone 2/3. Moderate flood risk. Get a flood risk assessment before buying. Insurance premiums may be higher. Air quality: Fair. PM2.5: 1.4 µg/m³. Well within WHO guidelines.

Local population: 1,341. Median age: 34. Suburban area. 4760 people per km². Mix of residential and local shops. Quieter than city centres. Busier than countryside. Deprivation index: decile 1 out of 10. That's most deprived. Income deprivation is high in this area. Education deprivation is a concern. Health outcomes trail the national average.

Nearest train station: Stockport. Distance: 114.3 miles. You'll need a car to get there. Also: Ashton-under-Lyne (117.3 mi). And Manchester Piccadilly (120 mi). Five public EV chargers nearby. Closest: 1.04 miles away. Good EV charging options in the area. Operator: BP Pulse.

Council tax: mostly Band C. Check your exact band at gov.uk/council-tax-bands. Band affects your annual bill by hundreds of pounds.

Nearest GP: HUC B&L IUC SERVICE. Distance: 0.6 miles. Five practices in the wider area. Check directly about new patient availability. GP lists fill up. Register early if you're moving. Close enough for a quick trip. Register with a GP before you need one. Waiting lists vary between practices.

4G outdoor coverage: 100%. 5G outdoor: 98.9%. Strong mobile signal across the area. 5G is widely available here. Data is at local authority level from Ofcom. Street-level signal can vary. Buildings and terrain affect actual reception. Try your handset on-site before switching provider.

Remote working score: 82/100. Good setup for working from home. Family score: 55/100. Mixed for families. Depends on priorities. Scores factor in broadband, schools, crime, and GPs. They weight each category by its relevance. A low score doesn't mean the area is bad. It means specific factors may not suit that use case. Compare scores with nearby postcodes to spot patterns.

A note on broadband providers. Ofcom data shows what's available. Not which provider to pick. Actual speeds depend on your line, your router, and your provider. Check BT, Sky, Virgin Media, and local FTTP operators. Compare deals at broadbandcompareuk.com or uSwitch. Contract lengths vary. 18 months is standard. Some offer 12. Ask about setup fees. They range from free to £50+. The area gets good real-world speeds. Most providers should deliver on their promises here.

Bedford has a suburban feel. Residential streets with local shops nearby. Garden space is common. Traffic is moderate. Good balance between access and quiet.

All data on this page comes from official public sources. Ofcom publishes broadband stats yearly. Police.uk updates monthly. The Land Registry records every sale. We pull it together so you can see the full picture in one place.

Numbers only go so far. Visit MK42 9XD on a weekday morning and a Saturday afternoon. Check parking availability. Listen for traffic noise. Look at the condition of nearby properties. Talk to a neighbour if you can. First impressions matter when choosing a home.

MK42 9XD has its strengths and weak spots like anywhere. Use the data above as your starting point. Check providers and schools directly. Visit the area on a weekday and a weekend. Numbers only tell part of the story. The feel of a place matters too. We update these figures regularly as new data is released.

TechnologyAvailableCoverageTypical Speed
Standard (ADSL)96%
96%
10-20 Mbps
Superfast (30+ Mbps)96%
96%
TBC
Ultrafast (100+ Mbps)96%
96%
TBC
Full Fibre (FTTP)N/A
N/A
TBC
Gigabit96%
96%
TBC

Speed Distribution at MK42 9XD

100%
300+ Mbps (100%)

Source: Ofcom Connected Nations 2025

Real-World Speeds at MK42 9XD

Based on 173 Ookla Speedtest results (Q4 2025)

Download

404

Mbps

Upload

187

Mbps

Latency

10

ms

Tests

173

results

Source: Ookla Speedtest Open Data (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Digital Divide at MK42 9XD

Below USO (can't get 10/1 Mbps)0%
Unable to receive 30 Mbps (no superfast)0%
Next Generation Access (NGA) coverage100%

Fibre-to-cabinet or better

Decent broadband via Fixed Wireless (FWA)0%

Source: Ofcom Connected Nations 2025

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

Cell Tower Coverage near MK42 9XD

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

Source: OpenStreetMap Contributors

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Area suitability scores

MK42 9XD

Remote Worker

82

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

Family

55

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

Crime summary

Based on Police.uk data for 2025-12

Total crimes last month: 246

violent crime36%89
anti social behaviour11%27
other theft11%26
vehicle crime9%22
shoplifting9%21
public order6%14
criminal damage arson6%14
drugs4%10
burglary3%8
bicycle theft2%6
robbery2%4
possession of weapons2%4
other crime0%1

Schools nearby

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

SchoolTypeOfstedRatingDistance
Elstow SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.3 mi
Bedford AcademySecondaryNot available★★★☆☆0.4 mi
Shackleton Primary SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.5 mi
Cherry Trees Nursery SchoolNurseryNot available★★★☆☆0.5 mi
King's Oak Primary SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.6 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

EPC energy ratings

Energy Performance Certificate distribution for this area

C

Most common: Band C

EPC score 69–80

A
0%
B
0%
C
27%
D
9%
E
2%
F
0%
G
0%
EPC Open Data Communities API

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

Transport links

Nearest train stations and towns

Nearest train stations

🚂

Stockport

114.3 mi

by road

🚂

Ashton-under-Lyne

117.3 mi

by road

🚂

Manchester Piccadilly

120.0 mi

by road

NaPTAN · Straight-line distances

GP surgeries nearby

Nearest NHS GP practices

1

HUC B&L IUC SERVICE

MK42 9QG·0.6 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

2

LONDON ROAD HEALTH CENTRE

MK42 0NT·0.7 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

3

EAST BEDFORD PCN

MK42 0NT·0.7 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

4

CAULDWELL MEDICAL CENTRE

MK42 9DJ·0.9 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

5

ICDS

MK42 9DJ·0.9 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

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

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

EV charging nearby

Public EV charging points within 5 miles

🔋

BP Pulse

Type 22 points

1.0 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 2

1.1 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.2 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.2 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.2 mi

away

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

Deprivation index (IMD)

English Indices of Deprivation 2019 · LSOA: E01017477

Overall IMD Decile

1 / 10

Most deprived

Ranked

1,387

of 32,844 areas

Decile 10 = least deprived 10% of England. Decile 1 = most deprived 10%. Based on Bedford 015F (2019 boundaries).

DomainDecileRankAssessment
Income11,102Most deprived
Employment1991Most deprived
Education150Most deprived
Health11Most deprived
Crime4N/ABelow average
English Indices of Deprivation 2019 (MHCLG)

Area demographics

Data for LSOA: Bedford 015F

Population

1,341

Census 2021

Density

4760

per km² · Dense urban

Median Age

34

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)

Area info

Parish

Bedford

District

Bedford

Region

Constituency

LSOA

E01017477

Frequently asked questions about MK42 9XD

What are the broadband speeds available at MK42 9XD?

Superfast broadband (30Mbps+) is available to 96% of premises at MK42 9XD. Maximum download speeds reach Gigabit (1Gbps+). Ultrafast coverage is at 96%.

What is the average house price near MK42 9XD?

No recent house price data for MK42 9XD. Few residential sales on record, or mainly commercial properties.

What is the flood risk for properties at MK42 9XD?

MK42 9XD has a Medium flood risk rating, classified as Zone 2/3 by the Environment Agency. Check the Environment Agency flood map for detailed risk information.

What schools are nearby in the MK42 9XD area?

The nearest school to MK42 9XD is Elstow School (Primary), 0.34 miles away. There are 5 schools within a few miles of this postcode.

How does crime rate in MK42 9XD compare to other areas?

In the latest month of data, 246 crimes were reported in this area (LSOA level). This is higher than average. The most common category was violent crime.

How suitable is MK42 9XD for remote working?

MK42 9XD scores 82/100 for remote working suitability, making it well suited for home workers. This score factors in superfast broadband coverage, full fibre availability, and mobile signal strength.

What is the mobile signal like at MK42 9XD?

4G outdoor coverage at MK42 9XD is 100%, with 5G outdoor at 98.9%. Networks available include EE, O2, Three, Vodafone. Data is at local authority level from Ofcom Connected Nations.

What is the most common energy efficiency rating for homes near MK42 9XD?

EPC data is not yet available for MK42 9XD. Energy Performance Certificates are recorded when properties are sold or rented. Check the EPC register at epc.opendatacommunities.org for individual property ratings.

What is the council tax band distribution at MK42 9XD?

The most common council tax band in Bedford is Band C. Band D council tax is approximately £1988 per year. Check your exact band at gov.uk.

How accessible are GP surgeries near MK42 9XD?

The nearest GP surgery to MK42 9XD is HUC B&L IUC SERVICE, 0.6 miles away. There are 5 GP practices within reach.

What transport links are available near MK42 9XD?

The nearest train station to MK42 9XD is Stockport, 114.3 miles away. Other nearby stations include Ashton-under-Lyne (117.3 mi) and Manchester Piccadilly (120 mi).

Is MK42 9XD a suitable area for families?

MK42 9XD scores 55/100 for family suitability, rated reasonably suitable. This score considers Ofsted school ratings, crime rates, flood risk, and proximity to GP surgeries.

What is the air quality like at MK42 9XD?

Air quality at MK42 9XD is rated Fair with PM2.5 levels at 1.4 µg/m³. This is close to WHO guideline levels.

How far is the nearest EV charging point from MK42 9XD?

The nearest public EV charging point to MK42 9XD is 1.04 miles away (BP Pulse, Type 2). There are 5 charging points within 5 miles.

Can I get full fibre broadband at MK42 9XD?

Ultrafast broadband (100Mbps+) is available to 96% of premises at MK42 9XD. Gigabit coverage reaches 96%. Providers like BT, Virgin Media, or local full fibre operators may serve this area.

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