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MK42 postcode

Broadband in MK42 9XE

Elstow, Bedford

Superfast broadband covers 100% of premises here.

Best speedSuperfast (30Mbps+)
StandardSuperfastGigabit
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Free, independent comparison · Ofcom verified data · Updated 11 March 2026

Flood Risk

Medium

Fibre (FTTP)

No

Best speed

Superfast (30Mbps+)

Reviewed by Arthur TuringData last verified: 11 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

The best available speed at MK42 9XE is Superfast (30Mbps+). That covers your 14 Mbps estimate.

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Speed Test

Check your current download speed and see how it compares to what is available at MK42 9XE.

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 9XE

MK42 9XE is in Elstow, 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 9XE is solid. Superfast (30Mbps+) reaches 100% of premises. The UK average is around 93%. Elstow beats that. Enough for streaming, video calls, and smart home devices. No gigabit connections available yet. Top speeds listed as Superfast (30Mbps+).

Coverage tells you what's available. Speed tests show what people get. Average download at MK42 9XE: 5 Mbps. Upload: 5 Mbps. Latency: 14ms. Well below the UK average of 70 Mbps. Video calls may drop. Streaming will buffer. Consider 4G home broadband as a backup option. Upload is slow. Cloud syncing will be sluggish.

Limited house price data for MK42 9XE. 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.

Crime figures for this area: 92 in one month. Around average for a populated area. Most common type: violent crime (25). Second: anti social behaviour (20). Third: shoplifting (13). Crime data is at LSOA level, not postcode. Nearby postcodes share these figures. The area covers roughly 1,500 residents. One month is a snapshot. Look at trends over time.

Five schools near MK42 9XE. Nearest: Springfield Primary School. Distance: 0.45 miles. Type: Primary. Second nearest: Daubeney Academy (0.47 mi). Also: Elstow School (0.65 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: 2.5 µg/m³. Well within WHO guidelines.

Local population: 1,240. Median age: 42. Rural area. 232 people per km². Expect quiet roads and more space between homes. Fewer local amenities. Car likely a must. Deprivation index: decile 6 out of 10. That's less deprived than average.

Nearest train station: Stockport. Distance: 114.4 miles. You'll need a car to get there. Also: Ashton-under-Lyne (117.4 mi). And Manchester Piccadilly (120.1 mi). Five public EV chargers nearby. Closest: 0.99 miles away. Good EV charging options in the area.

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: CCSB HEALTH VISITORS. Distance: 0.8 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: 45/100. Workable, but check speeds with your employer. 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+. Real-world speeds are low here. Consider a provider with a minimum speed guarantee. Ofcom's code of practice covers this.

Elstow is a rural area. Open fields and quiet lanes. A car is a must. Public transport is limited. Nearest supermarket may be a drive away.

Where does this data come from? Broadband figures from Ofcom Connected Nations 2025. Crime from Police.uk. House prices from HM Land Registry. Demographics from the ONS Census. Flood data from the Environment Agency. Speed tests from Ookla. All public, all verifiable.

Numbers only go so far. Visit MK42 9XE 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.

That covers the key data for MK42 9XE. Visit in person before deciding. Walk the streets at different times of day. Talk to neighbours if you can. Check parking, noise levels, and local shops. The numbers give you the framework. The visit fills in the rest. Data changes over time. Bookmark this page and check back for updates.

TechnologyAvailableCoverageTypical Speed
Standard (ADSL)100%
100%
10-20 Mbps
Superfast (30+ Mbps)100%
100%
30-80 Mbps
Ultrafast (100+ Mbps)0%
0%
100-300 Mbps
Full Fibre (FTTP)N/A
N/A
300-900 Mbps
Gigabit0%
0%
900-1,000 Mbps

Real-World Speeds at MK42 9XE

Based on 3 Ookla Speedtest results (Q4 2025)

Download

5

Mbps

Upload

5

Mbps

Latency

14

ms

Tests

3

results

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

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 9XE

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 9XE

Remote Worker

45

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: 92

violent crime27%25
anti social behaviour22%20
shoplifting14%13
vehicle crime10%9
public order8%7
other theft7%6
criminal damage arson4%4
drugs3%3
burglary3%3
bicycle theft1%1
possession of weapons1%1

Schools nearby

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

SchoolTypeOfstedRatingDistance
Springfield Primary SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.5 mi
Daubeney AcademySecondaryNot available★★★☆☆0.5 mi
Elstow SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.7 mi
Camestone SchoolPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆0.7 mi
Bedford Road Primary AcademyPrimaryNot available★★★☆☆1.1 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

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

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

114.4 mi

by road

🚂

Ashton-under-Lyne

117.4 mi

by road

🚂

Manchester Piccadilly

120.1 mi

by road

NaPTAN · Straight-line distances

GP surgeries nearby

Nearest NHS GP practices

1

CCSB HEALTH VISITORS

MK42 7PN·0.8 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

2

CCSB PAED COMM NURSING

MK42 7PN·0.8 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

3

CCSB SAFEGUARDING

MK42 7PN·0.8 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

4

CCSB SCHOOL NURSING

MK42 7PN·0.8 miles away
Not accepting

new patients

5

HUC B&L IUC SERVICE

MK42 9QG·0.8 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)2.5 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

🔋

EV Charger

Type 2

1.0 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 2

1.0 mi

away

🔋

BP Pulse

Type 22 points

1.6 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 2

1.7 mi

away

🔋

EV Charger

Type 22 points

1.8 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: E01034432

Overall IMD Decile

6 / 10

Average

Ranked

18,082

of 32,844 areas

Decile 10 = least deprived 10% of England. Decile 1 = most deprived 10%. Based on Bedford 019E (2019 boundaries).

DomainDecileRankAssessment
Income617,862Average
Employment617,336Average
Education612Average
Health7N/AAbove average
Crime5N/AAverage
English Indices of Deprivation 2019 (MHCLG)

Area demographics

Data for LSOA: Bedford 022B

Population

1,240

Census 2021

Density

232

per km² · Suburban

Median Age

42

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

Elstow

District

Bedford

Region

Constituency

LSOA

E01034432

Frequently asked questions about MK42 9XE

What are the broadband speeds available at MK42 9XE?

Superfast broadband (30Mbps+) is available to 100% of premises at MK42 9XE. Maximum download speeds reach Superfast (30Mbps+). Ultrafast coverage is at 0%.

What is the average house price near MK42 9XE?

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

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

MK42 9XE 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 9XE area?

The nearest school to MK42 9XE is Springfield Primary School (Primary), 0.45 miles away. There are 5 schools within a few miles of this postcode.

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

In the latest month of data, 92 crimes were reported in this area (LSOA level). This is around average. The most common category was violent crime.

How suitable is MK42 9XE for remote working?

MK42 9XE scores 45/100 for remote working suitability, making it somewhat limited 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 9XE?

4G outdoor coverage at MK42 9XE 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 9XE?

EPC data is not yet available for MK42 9XE. 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 9XE?

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 9XE?

The nearest GP surgery to MK42 9XE is CCSB HEALTH VISITORS, 0.8 miles away. There are 5 GP practices within reach.

What transport links are available near MK42 9XE?

The nearest train station to MK42 9XE is Stockport, 114.4 miles away. Other nearby stations include Ashton-under-Lyne (117.4 mi) and Manchester Piccadilly (120.1 mi).

Is MK42 9XE a suitable area for families?

MK42 9XE 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 9XE?

Air quality at MK42 9XE is rated Fair with PM2.5 levels at 2.5 µg/m³. This is close to WHO guideline levels.

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

The nearest public EV charging point to MK42 9XE is 0.99 miles away (EV Charger, Type 2). There are 5 charging points within 5 miles.

Can I get full fibre broadband at MK42 9XE?

Ultrafast broadband is not currently available at MK42 9XE. Standard and superfast options may still be available. Check with providers for the latest rollout plans.

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