This topic

Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:47:03 GMT

I applied for High Speed Broadband to the Premises in November 2020. Still waiting. When I was out yesterday a gang arrived and installed a pole in front of my Listed Building. All other services are undergrounded including the copper connection. BT and Open Reach have been aware since 12th January that the Planning Authority would only like a pole at the rear or side of the property, not in the line of sight of the building. Anyone else received such dumb service?

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

Starwire — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:51:25 GMT

Perhaps the Poling Team had the A55 upside down.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

Devon_Dave — Sun, 02 May 2021 21:41:03 GMT

There should be an A4 size label attached to the pole with details of how to complain.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

DavidM — Mon, 03 May 2021 08:40:18 GMT

Hi @maggie39 and welcome to the community.

Thanks for posting about the pole. I'm sorry there's been some problems. Is the account a business or residential service? Have you spoken with anyone about this? Have you checked if there is an A4 sized notice as per @Devon_Dave advice?

Cheers

David

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Fri, 07 May 2021 10:31:47 GMT

Yes - I have been in almost daily contact with BT and Openreach. It takes hours to get through to them, so much time wasted. All they do is say "sorry" over and over again. There is a notice on the pole and, of course, I have written but there is no phone number and no names! In the mean time, BT keep billing me!

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

NeilO — Fri, 07 May 2021 13:05:51 GMT

Hi @maggie39, I'm sorry the BT community won't be able to assist you with your complaint as the network is owned and maintained by Openreach. You can contact Openreach via this webform to object to the pole.

Thanks

Neil

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

Addy — Fri, 07 May 2021 13:16:49 GMT

I would suggest you try contacting the local planning authority to let them know the pole has been erected in the wrong place and ask them if they did have any contact from Openreach or it’s contractor. Listed building consent would be required before any work can proceed on or near a listed building.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Wed, 12 May 2021 15:34:53 GMT

Thanks. I have made an enquiry of the LA . They confirm this. I have passed this information to BT and Open reach who do not appear bothered by this. Meantime, the pole remains on my lawn!

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Wed, 12 May 2021 15:45:24 GMT

Thanks I have found that, despite the fact that the rain has made it almost unreadable but perhaps that is what they hope for.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Wed, 12 May 2021 15:46:37 GMT

Thanks. I have now completed the form as well as having sent a letter.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 17:57:41 GMT

What rubbish. This problem has certainly NOT been solved. Who wrote "Solved"? The pole is still there and it stinks in this hot weather. A local farmer has offered to chainsaw it down for me. Am I within my rights? 3 months have gone by.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

Keith_Beddoe — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 18:21:44 GMT

@maggie39

This has nothing to do with BT Retail, you need to take up the issue with Openreach.

https://www.formwize.openreach.co.uk/run/survey3.cfm?idx=505d04080b0d0c01%22

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 08:40:06 GMT

Hi I try to persuade Open reach to remove the unlawful pole almost daily but they keep referring me to BT Pole Objection Service who seem to be a secret organisation with little means of speaking to anybody directly.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

Addy — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 09:00:29 GMT

Try this link if not already done so. https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/when-to-get-in-touch-with-openreach/complaints-policy

keep a record of the chat and follow up with a letter to Openreach Chairman’s office plus copy to ofcom.

Ade

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:20:28 GMT

Thanks, but even the Openreach website to which you directed me asks me to refer my issue to BT! I have already written to the boss of Open reach who appointed an officer to deal with my case but nothing is resolved. I will have to find out if I am legally allowed to remove the post myself with the help of a neighbouring farmer.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

licquorice — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:37:31 GMT

Sorry @maggie39 but not sure why you keep posting on a BT retail forum that has absolutely nothing to do with your problem which is purely with Openreach and nobody else.

BT Retail do not erect poles, Openreach do.

I think you might find removing the pole yourself a very expensive exercise in legal costs when sued by Openreach for damaging their property.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

Devon_Dave — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 21:23:18 GMT

@maggie39 as mentioned Karen, you need to take your complaint elsewhere, everyone on this forum has tried to point out to you where to vent your anger. There is nothing else we can do for you here.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

maggie39 — Tue, 10 May 2022 09:53:34 GMT

Pole has been removed. It was actually BT who took responsibility and finally had it removed, not Openreach.

Re: Unlawful pole erected in my garden

pompey1898 — Wed, 11 May 2022 08:24:19 GMT

Your persistence has been rewarded at last.