BT leaves Kintyre couple hanging on
A CARRADALE couple have not been able to call to say I love you after BT kept them waiting seven months for a connection.
Steve and Lesley Barker, both 58, thought they would soon be hanging on the telephone when they moved into Moineruadh Cottage, alongside the B842, on August 1 last year. Just across the road, about 20 yards away, there was a BT box.
Lesley said: ‘The day we moved in, I called BT and they said an engineer would come on September 9.
‘Every month following, until March, they have promised to come and cancelled at the last moment.
‘We had to make a fresh application in February. They said there was no connection box but it just 20 yards away.
‘Another excuse was that BT would have to get planning permission.
‘Being on the phone is quite important because we are doing the cottage up and need to order supplies.
‘It is not just about being able to go online. We would like a telephone as mobile reception can be unreliable.’
Steve added: ‘At first I was looking for work, although I have found work at the caravan park.
‘We have never been blacklisted and have always paid our bills on time.
‘One official said they would note our complaint when we threatened to call Ofcom. She never called back.’
An Openreach spokesman said: ‘An engineer visited in September and reported that there was no spare capacity on the cable.
‘BT planned a route for a new cable duct and the work was given to contractors.
‘They found that the proposed route took the cable over the top of a water main.
‘The option of cutting a track along the roadway was considered but ruled out as the road had recently been resurfaced.
‘Our contractors say the work will be completed on May 4, and engineers will pull in a new cable.
‘It’s very unusual for the installation of a new line to take this long and we’re sorry for the frustration it has caused.’