Removing a tree encroaching on 10-15 phone lines

gildenman

I've just bought a house and at the bottom of the garden is a medium tree, which is about 5m from a telegraph pole. Consequently about 10-15 phone lines pass through the branches. Some right in the core of the tree i.e. the branches are not small.
I want to remove this tree. BT have told me that any phone lines I damage will be mine to pay for. Can this really be true, if the tree is on my property? 10-15x BT connection charge would not be fun.
Any advice please? Are they just trying it on?
I assume they have some right to run phone lines over people's property, seeing as they are ex-government? Or would it be the case that the previous owner gave permission?
TIA

ormus

all utility companies have special wayleave rights over anyones property.

gildenman

ormus wrote: »

all utility companies have special wayleave rights over anyones property.

Thanks for the extremely quick response.
Does that right also mean accidental damage to their lines is my responsibility?
I'm concerned that if the tree blew down then I'd have to pay for all those lines? Or if natural growth of the tree snapped some lines.

hartcjhart

if the tree blew done then it damage should be covered on your house insurance,natural growth would be down to you
any other damage done to the lines will mean you are liable

if the leaves are dropping wait untill the tree is bare then carefully prune the smaller stuff away clearing the lines as you go,

then with a hand saw start to cut the larger branches away.


Or the best way is to get a pro in then any damage will be down to them