Dropped kerb and Virgin cable cover

Carrieb

Hey all,
Just bought a house in a road where everyone has off road parking. As a result the one and only space outside my house is always being used and parking is becoming a nightmare.

Have contacted the council and they have sent me a quote to drop the kerb with 5 kerb stones - thought that was pricey at £1,700 but prepared to pay to park hassle free.

Problem is there is a Virgin Media Cable Cover on the pathway. Council have said that it is down to me to contact Virgin and get this moved/removed. Previous owner was a Virgin customer, but I am not - so does not need to stay.
Have just called Virgin and they want a cheque for £230 to give me a quote for the moving/removal of the box. They will then send details of the actual cost. Man I spoke to would not give me an estimate. He said it could be hundreds, could be thousands!!

This all seems really expensive and wanted to know if there is anything else I could do. Was thinking about leaving the kerb altogether - just getting the drive done and bouncing up the path, but this is not ideal!!

Are there any loopholes, or other ways of getting this box moved?
Thanks.

ic

If the kerb is not dropped, there is nothing stopping people still parking there - the rules always apply where the kerb has been dropped. If you drive over a pavement that hasn't been strengthened and adjusted to make it suitable, it is you that will be breaking the rules.

It sounds to me like you've spoken to somebody at Virgin who hasn't a clue. I'm getting the existing pavement resurfaced and adjusted across my drive (already a dropped kerb). The council got me to contact the water board about adjusting the height of the water meter that is on the pavement, and they have agreed to do the work and it won't cost me a penny.

I'm now just waiting for the council to schedule the works, then will get the water board to come at the same time.

Kiran

It depends what this cover is, how big is it?

The smal cover about 75-100mm sq is just for your service, if it is bigger than that about 300mm x 600mm that is probably serving more than just your property and can probably not be removed without being relocated.

Is it bang in the midle of where you want your drop kerbs?

Carrieb

The cover is probably a little bit smaller than a sheet of A4 paper. It's not in the centre, it is to the left of where the kerb is being dropped, but the council have said that their contractors will not touch the cover - so will not do the work until it is moved.

pimento

It might be cheaper to become a Virgin customer for the minimum period. They surely wouldn't charge you to move the cover if you were going to be signing up with them?

Kiran

Do you want a bet, BT used to try and charge £120 for a connection!!! lol

C_Mababejive

Maybe you need to look for some...ermm...alternative contractors to undertake this work. Maybe whilst your on holiday for a few days?

sillygoose

C'mon have a heart, old Branson needs your money to pay for his little rocket so he and all his rich mates can go floaty woaty for 5 minutes. £5000 for moving your little box should help stick some fuel in it.

Write to David Cameron, he would probably have a word for your vote right now.

Carrieb

Think that I'm just going to have to stump up, as the planning permission for the dropped kerb expires in June - but not happy about it!!

Have spoken to other people who have had the same issue with Virgin Media. They had to pay about £600 to have the cover moved.

Has anyone else had to pay and does this sound about right?

You're right, sillygoose - I know I am being unreasonable and should think about the rich and needy!

ormus

you should have said nowt to anyone.
i paid two paddys, in their lunch break, 100 quid to do my MILs drop kerb.

dander

Compared to the amount I paid £1,700 sounds like a lot. I know all councils will vary, but I paid around £800, so that's one hell of a difference! Is it a longer area of kerb than a standard driveway width? If so, is there scope to just get a shorter area dropped and avoid the section of pavement with the box in?