Cable damage sees Sky brought down to earth
ROADWORKS ACCIDENT LEAVES CUSTOMERS ACROSS WEARSIDE WITHOUT BROADBAND
Sky Broadband customers across Sunderland were left without service after a vital cable was damaged during roadworks on the A19.
Lane closures had to be implemented on the dual carriageway last night so engineers could repair the damage which knocked out services for the entire day.
The problem affected Sky’s Fibre Broadband service across Boldon, East Herrington, Hylton, Ryhope, central and north Sunderland, Washington and Whitburn.
The firm posted regular updates on its website and apologised to customers but warned the disruption would last until late into the evening.
“We understand from our on-site engineers that the problem has been caused by a fibre-cable break close to the A19,” it said.
“Unfortunately, due to extensive damage it is likely that repair works will extend into the evening.
“The location of the fibre break has been confirmed as damage as a result of roadworks on the A19.
“A lane closure will be required to allow engineers to commence repair works safely.”
It was 4pm before confirmation came that the Highways Agency has approved the necessary lane closures.
Response from people posting on the Echo’s Facebook page was mixed.
Andrea Appleby wrote: “Totally disgusted. This is the second time this year I’ve had no access to my internet.
“I have children who need to do homework and can’t without the internet. 9pm is ridiculous.”
And Dane Old said: “My god, households will be in uproar tonight when their kids are in from school to find out there’s no Internet !!!! Haha”
But John Bloomfield defended the media giant.
“Hardly Sky’s fault if their cables have been damaged by a workforce that has nothing to do with them – and if they have to wait for permission from the authorities to close a lane of the A19 to repair it,” he wrote.