My inbox has been red hot since mid March with contacts from residents about BT Openreach's controversial proposals to install telegraph poles across the Meir Park estate. Here's everything you need to know;
Over the last 6 weeks BT Openreach have been putting up signs on streetlights to make residents aware of their proposals to install telegraph poles on the estate. To date, they have done this on around a third of Meir Park, but I believe their intention is to cover the whole estate.
To date, all fibre broadband has been installed in underground ducting (Lila and Virgin have both used this provision) and a number of residents have contacted me about this, raising queries about the proposals and their legitimacy.
BT Openreach are looking to use permitted development rights as a utility provider, which means they don't need to seek planning permission. I have sought advice from the City Council's planning team, who advise that they have no ability to stop this, however encourage residents who are unhappy with location or appearance to respond to BT Openreach to raise their concerns. If you haven't done so, but wish to raise a concern about location or appearance, there is a QR code on the notices, or you can use this link Object to, move or remove Openreach equipment
I am currently speaking regularly to a BT Openreach Executive Complaints Manager about this issue, as I feel that the approach they have used doesn't answer the many questions residents have about location, why poles and not ducting, nor wires. Ideally, I would like them to write to householders and offer the opportunity to explain why BT Openreach are proposing to do something that other providers have not needed to.
Such is the level of queries from residents that I have put together an email list so I can more easily update residents when I receive updates. Please email me ([email protected]) if you wish to be added.
