Businesswoman's anger over disruption of broadband work

DISRUPTION . . . the work being carried out in Samuel Street, Failsworth

A BUSINESSWOMAN in Failsworth has criticised Virgin Media for disruption on her street.

Jenny Reed, a director of Black Fox MetalCraft in Samuel Street, claims Virgin did not give her or the residents on the street any prior notice of the work that would be carried out.

Virgin Media has been laying cables in the Oldham area to bring ultrafast broadband to more homes and businesses.

The company was carrying out work in Samuel Street last week and had finished by Friday, but not before causing major disruption, said Jenny.

She said she had no problem with Virgin doing the work on the street but added she should have known about it beforehand.

Jenny said: "On Monday morning I had no idea any work was taking place. They hadn't given us any notice.

"It's ridiculous, it's so rude and disruptive. They were digging enormous trenches three feet from my wall.

"There was no parking anywhere on the street. I could have come in on my bike if I had known.

"I had to cancel a steel delivery because the truck couldn't get in.

"It was so noisy, I couldn't hear properly on the phone. I could have planned to work at home.

Shaking

"The workmen were using a pneumatic drill. There was stuff shaking off the shelves because of the vibrations."

At a full council meeting last month, council leader Jean Stretton urged Failsworth residents to contact the council if they had complaints to make about work being done by Virgin Media.

Residents had expressed concerns that they had not received adequate warning about the cables being laid.

Cllr Stretton said Virgin is required to deliver letters two weeks prior to any work starting.

Any breach, she said, could lead to a fine.

A spokesman from Virgin Media, however, said a letter drop took place before works commenced which explained that there may be some disruption and access might be limited.

It said: "Virgin Media is currently expanding its fibre optic network to bring ultrafast broadband speeds to millions of more homes and businesses across the UK.

"As we do so, we notify residents in advance of the work being carried out and endeavour to minimise disruption.

"In this case, we apologise to the residents of Samuel Street for the inconvenience we may have caused."