This topic

What do I do with a disused BT landline?

Davefromzone6 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:02:07 GMT

During building work, we spotted that we have a BT line running from the house to a telegraph pole. We haven't had a contract with BT for over 20 years. Because it's getting in the way of the scaffolders we'd like to remove it. The site foreman suggested cutting it at the house end and wind it round the pole in the street.

What is the protocol?

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

imjolly — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:11:12 GMT

the line to your home is the property of openreach not BT Retail

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

gg30340 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:28:48 GMT

Contact Openreach to have it removed.

Building Developers and Projects | Openreach

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

Feusag — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:00:21 GMT

If it's the property of BT how does one get in Touch with BT.., I need a redundant overhead line and a telegraph pole at least cut down. Answering "it's their property " doesn't help the situation!

I too have a 40 year old pole swaying in gales with a line to house which "toys" over an extension roof hampering maintenance; that makes things very unsafe and not health and safety approved.

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

iniltous — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:09:38 GMT

Didn’t you read the previous rely , it’s not BT , it’s Openreach , they are not interchangeable terms ,

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

WSH — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:13:05 GMT

Just to clarify: BT and Openreach are actually separate companies, (although both "BT Group"). The line is Openreach property and nothing to do with BT the retail service provider, so BT can't help you. Try this site

https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/damage-health-and-safety

Edit: Typing at the same time as iniltous

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

Feusag — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:14:02 GMT

Thankyou, but still useless as an answer to the problem... !!!
Ok guru! How does one connect with BT to get wayleaves to remove line and pole?
If you cannot suggest an acceptable answer do not reply!

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

gg30340 — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:17:59 GMT

@Feusag wrote:
Thankyou, but still useless as an answer to the problem... !!!
Ok guru! How does one connect with BT to get wayleaves to remove line and pole?
If you cannot suggest an acceptable answer do not reply!

As per message 3

Re: What do I do with a disused BT landline?

iniltous — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 10:52:16 GMT

No one but you mentioned wayleaves , and until now pole removal, you post was initially just the dropwire .

As stated numerous times now , dropwires have nothing to do with ‘BT’ , unless it is delivering a BT customers service, and even then any maintenance etc is done by Openreach ( basically drop-wires are Openreach property, although these days other operators have their dropwires on Openreach poles , but presumably this is an Openreach wire ) .

As the wire is not delivering your service , and you are not a BT customer, you need to contact Openreach , whatever your problem is , it isn’t BT’s problem, you have been told where you need to enquire.