Cable theft chaos

UP TO 2.5 million homes could be without phonelines and internet today after fibre-optic cables were severed in Oldham.

BT were alerted to the attack and contacted police following the incident late last night.
A BT manhole cover in Manchester Road, Hollinwood, was removed and the cables cut in the shaft below. Cables were also damaged in Bacup and Whitworth. Police say the cables serve around 2.5million homes and businesses across the region.

This morning a stream of reports to the Chronicle detailed loss of phone, broadband and other signals from residents in Royton, Chadderton, Moorside and Watersheddings.

A spokesman said: “Engineers are working on replacing these cables, but this may take some time.

“We have no final estimate of the time it will take to resolve the issue. We are sorry for the disruption.”