Broadband gripes reach new heights

Reporter: Robbie MacDonald
Date published: 23 April 2015


A COMPANY plans to leave Oldham because of slow internet connections to an office park.

VSM Healthcare at Salmon Fields Business Village in Royton is dismayed over continuing delays in obtaining superfast broadband to the site, built in 2006.

Other businesses are staying - but want a speedy remedy to the problem, which has been known about for four years.

Some neighbouring areas have faster broadband - and British Telecom says improvements are under way. But some firms onthe site fear more delays. They believe confusion over industrial estate postcodes, contracting and a telecom industry preference for residential areas could be factors.

Luke Vernon, managing director of VSM Healthcare, said: “It is more than a year since we raised our concerns in the Chronicle. We are exasperated

My company has 10 staff and wants to expand. We are planning to move to Manchester because of this.

“We have held meetings with all parties and Michael Meacher even spoke to a BT representative in Parliament who thought this had been resolved.”

Leonard Hindle, from design firm James West, added: “This site is very important for Oldham’s economy — but one firm is considering leaving and others are being put off moving here.

“Telecom contractors have to speak to a chain of firms including Virgin, Talk Talk and BT Openreach.

“At one point, we were told we needed a short cable connection, then a 16-metre high mast for a wireless service and then a 1,000 metre cable connection.

“We were also told our complaint was a high priority for BT, but we still haven’t got a connection.

“We are not blaming any individual organisation. It is shameful the industry can’t deliver.”

BT initially issued a statement saying improvements have been made at Shaw Road, but it later held back the statement saying more investigation was needed. Mr Vernon says his relocation plans remain in place.

Elaine McLean, Oldham Council’s Executive Director for Economy and Skills, said: “We share these frustrations and have done everything in our power to support the businesses.”