Hi everyone, I've just had a conversation with avonline tech support, telling me that there has been network maintenance done by skylogic which has been causing the slow down of speeds on spot beam 34 which covers most of the eastern side of the UK but the system is gradually becoming more stable and speeds should be returning to 'adequate' (i use the term loosely, of course) levels. apparently there are fewer and fewer customers being affected by the problem.
Over on ruralbroadband.co.uk they have a blog post saying sky logic/tooway have carried out maintenance on spot beam 34 to rectify problems with the heavy user FAP systems that is what is causing the slow speeds.

but anyway just thought i would keep you guys in the loop and pass on the information i have recieved from avonline tech support.