Virgin’s legal action against council

Cable operator Virgin Media has launched legal action against Durham County Council claiming land charges are stalling fibre optic roll-out in the area.

The company is aiming to extend fibre to 16,000 properties in the county by 2019, but work stopped this year after the council demanded payment for access to grass verges alongside public pathways.

For the first time, Virgin Media is aiming to put the updated Electronic Communications Code (ECC) to the test in order to obtain a court-imposed agreement to use the land.

This is subject to a tribunal balancing the impact of installation to Durham Council against the benefit to the future users of the broadband services.

Chief executive of Virgin Media, Tom Mockridge, said: “We’re disappointed to be taking this action against a council with whom we initially had a good working relationship.

“By demanding money for land access, Durham County Council is now putting up a broadband blockade to thousands of homes and businesses across the county.”

Head of planning and assets at Durham County Council, Stuart Timmiss, said he was “extremely disappointed” by the legal action and believed the council had “good constructive dialogue” with Virgin Media.

Earlier this year, the council served the company with an “improvement notice” following complaints from residents about street works.

“These issues are not uncommon and we are not the only local authority who has been forced to take such action,” he Mr Timmiss.

“Having said that, the roll-out of superfast broadband across our county is very important to us and we will continue to work with all providers in finding the best way to achieve this.”