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Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

Trowan — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 21:47:00 GMT

I’m looking to apply for a dropped kerb, however I have this large BT box on the path. Has anyone had experience with this? Thankyou

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

WSH — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 21:57:58 GMT

The "BT" box will be Openreach. (Unless it is an altnet).

BT and Openreach are separate companies and this forum has no connection/contact with Openreach.

I'd take a look at the Openreach website if I were you.

Edit: If it says "BT" it will date from before the companies separated but it is still Openreach property today.

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

chrisjp — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 22:35:47 GMT

If the Openreach cabinet is actually obstructing the access you want over the dropped kerb, then I fear that getting Openreach to move it will be quite (if not very) expensive, and may take a significant time to get done. There are multiple connections in these cabinets and moving them is quite a complex process.

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

iniltous — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 09:19:06 GMT

I’d suspect that when you are appraised of the costs you may change your mind …..been plenty of comments (complaints) here on this subject over the years , however as it’s the applicant changing the status quo , expecting Openreach to cover the costs is not reasonable.

Depending on the box and what’s in it , can be very expensive for a resident to cover the costs , the minimum is a change of frame and cover to one that can withstand the weight of a car , even that expect a quote in the thousands of ££, if the box needs relocation then everything in it needs to be relocated to , if it needs to be lower to accommodate a heavier box lid and frame , a demolition of the box and rebuilt box lower in the pavement is very expensive

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

36ULW — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:41:37 GMT

What do you mean by Large Box, a Footway Box or a Green Cabinet?

If it’s a Footway Box it’ll need to be altered and depending on what kind of Box it is, Brick, Modular, etc it may need completely rebuilding.

If it’s a Green Cabinet, be it a PCP and or DSLAM them the cost of getting that moved will be in the tens of thousands.

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

Trowan — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:48:05 GMT

It is a footpath covering, they only installed it last week. I have contacted open reach via their online form and waiting a response

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

jac_95 — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 15:48:53 GMT

Not sure if you've been made aware of the Openreach form to fill in about requesting relocation of existing infrastructure but here it is if the equipment is Openreach's https://www.openreach.com/building-developers-and-projects/altering-our-network

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

iniltous — Sun, 21 Dec 2025 17:48:46 GMT

It’s a shame you didn’t have your application in before hand , as it really doesn’t matter if it’s been in the footpath 5 minutes or 5 decades, once it’s in , it’s a fixture that isn’t going to be moved without charges being paid by the requester , obviously if your dropped kerb we’re already in place , or at least an application submitted to the council then either a driveway or carriage way box would have been installed if that location is the only suitable one , or more likely it would have been positioned in a slightly different location .
If it’s a new box , in an established area ,then presumably it’s part of a FTTP rollout , so presumably it’s needed to house some FTTP equipment

Re: Dropped kerb with BT manhole type box

36ULW — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:18:15 GMT

If they only put it in recently I’d hazard a guess it’ll be a Modular Box.

A Modular Box is basically this ridged plastic base and is only designed to take the weight of foot traffic.

You start driving a car over it repeatedly it’ll cause the lid to sink and eventually collapse.

It’d probably need rebuilding to the type that can support the weight of a car passing over it.