Wendy’s on the receiving end of cold callers

A RECYCLED telephone number has left a Shaw woman inundated with callers asking her to grit their roads.

Wendy Varley had a new BT line installed six weeks ago, but was given the number that used to belong to Shaw Councillor Mark Alcock.

Councillor Alcock is a parish councillor and Oldham Council’s cabinet member for environment and infrastructure — so is in charge of the council’s gritting operation during the wintery weather.

His old number was still given out for publicising ward surgeries, leaving Wendy receiving calls from people complaining that their roads have not been gritted.

BT recycles old numbers when they have been out of use for three months.

But good-natured Wendy has seen the funny side and even tried her best to help residents — despite being woken by early morning calls and having rude calls centre staff pester her.

Wendy said: “I moved house and there was no phone in so I asked for a line and that’s the number they gave me.

“I have had about a dozen phone calls. It’s been more fun than anything. The call centre ones are a bit rude. They insist on speaking to Mark Alcock despite me saying he’s never lived here. They are an absolute nightmare.

“But most have been people in Shaw, which is quite amusing. They tend to be older and we have a bit of a chat.

“One person rang me about land at George Street playing field and we had a lovely chat. He apologised for calling.

“I decided to have a lie in yesterday but at 8.10am the phone went and it was a lovely old lady saying ‘I can’t do my Christmas shopping because of the snow’.”

Councillor Alcock said it was a phone number he used a long time ago before he moved house. He added: “I’m very sorry for this lady. BT recycles its numbers after three months.

“Lots of people have contacted me on my new number, so obviously people are getting through. But people are better ringing my mobile or e-mailing me as I’m always out busy.”

Councillor Alcock can be contacted at home on 01706 880018, on his mobile on 07545 545060, or e-mail mark.alcock@oldham.gov.uk