Why must we pay to move BT’s eyesore?
I HAVE every sympathy with Mr and Mrs Ferguson, who are angry that an intrusive 5ft Virgin Media broadband box has been installed directly outside their window (Mail). When we moved into our period home four years ago, there was a small green BT cabinet on the pavement directly in front of the house. Since then, it has twice been replaced with ever bigger boxes, despite our protests. The latest box was installed last month and is 3½ ft high and 6ft wide. It’s just 2.5in from our old stone wall and a little over a foot from the front gate, which is half-blocked when the cabinet is opened by engineers. A BT representative took photos last week and said the cabinet should have been put on the grass verge alongside the road, but it will not move it now because that would cost about £20,000. The council doesn’t want to know, stating that telecom companies have a statutory right to place boxes where they want. But what if this prevents the care and maintenance of a private property wall adjacent to a public highway or, as in the case of the Fergusons, despoils their home? Via our MP we have heard from BT that as there was no objection to the siting of their equipment from the local council, nothing more can be done unless we pay for the re-siting. Virgin and BT are making millions and should be more considerate to their customers. Reading online forums, it appears many families have been affected by badly placed electrical cabinets, but are being ignored. I am furious about the obstinate, bullying attitude of BT and Open Reach.
JAN LEWIS, Swansea.