Openreach and leaving holes open?

stabilio

Not really sure this is the right forum for this post but I'm not sure where it should go...

We had an old BT post just on the edge of out drive that was damaged and dangerous so Openreach said they would remove it then bury the connections. They taped a cone to it and for 2 months did nothing until I called and asked what was going on with it.

They told me it would be a 3 day job and 2 dates came and went without them doing anything. Finally a contractor came and dug a hole and removed the old damaged post saying BT would come the next day, make the connections and they would be back the day after to fill the hole.

Almost a month later, the hole is still open with the footpath closed off and its making it more difficult to get our cars in and out the drive as part of the barriers are on our property.
Part of the hole is not even covered properly and our 18 month has nearly been down it a few times.

I've made at least a dozen calls to Openreach with promises of job completion (and even telling me the job had been closed) but nothing is getting done. I've put in a official complaint to Openreach via their form but even that has achieved nothing as they seem to take at least 5 days getting back to you.

Is there some kind of time limit that this simple job should take Openreach and can they close off footpaths and limit drive access for almost a month and counting?

As its not related to an internet service or BT line (as we don't use or have a BT line), does anyone have any advice on how we can speed this up or speak to anyone else about it by phone without going through their call center - or do we just have to keep waiting on Openreach to finally finish it?

lee111s

Try them on twitter. Tweet a photo and locatipn. They should sort it quickly.

Owain_Moneysaver

Complain to the local council. They are responsible for the highways and enforcing the New Roads and Street Works Act (1991) and they can charge Openreach a fee for inspecting the works under The Street Works (Inspection Fees) (England) Regulations 2002

stabilio

Thanks for that. Not on Twitter but joined especially and have messaged them with pic and job number. Didn't realise they were on Twitter either as they're not on Facebook.

I did think of the council too but will see if they respond on Twitter first.

lee111s

For damage reports, from what I've seen on twitter they're usually pretty hot.

teddysmum

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Complain to the local council. They are responsible for the highways and enforcing the New Roads and Street Works Act (1991) and they can charge Openreach a fee for inspecting the works under The Street Works (Inspection Fees) (England) Regulations 2002

I did this some years ago, when a concrete Cable and Wireless access cover , laid in the grass verge, was cracked, causing it to lean downwards.


I pointed out that it posed a hazard for both humans and animals and was amazed that it was repaired early next morning.

lee111s

Did you tweet @OpenreachGB ?

Can't see your tweet

brewerdave

Another vote here for Council - water board dug a hole in footpath outside my property but only partially backfilled with soil and left cones. After about 5 days I phoned the Council - the tarmac was restored that afternoon!!

teddysmum

brewerdave wrote: »

Another vote here for Council - water board dug a hole in footpath outside my property but only partially backfilled with soil and left cones. After about 5 days I phoned the Council - the tarmac was restored that afternoon!!

They're afraid of being sued.


I also complained to the council about very uneven flagstones. They asked for specific location and sent some workmen the next day. They not only levelled the offending flags, but also sorted all those in front of our house and filled the gap between pavement and lawn edging (which had moved slightly over the years).

stabilio

lee111s wrote: »

Did you tweet @OpenreachGB ?

Can't see your tweet

Sorry for the delay but I private messaged them which did the job.
Thanks for the advice