Helensburgh residents have hit out at “shoddy” superfast broadband infrastructure work despite reassurances from Virgin Media over the installation of new cables in several of the town’s streets.
The Advertiser previously reported how Virgin Media had apologised to residents in Kennedy Drive after work on laying new cables in streets outside their homes started without advance warning.
Then, in East King Street, a stand-off erupted after contracters began digging directly next to the foundations of one house to install a cabinet – with some householders stating they had organised a ‘vigil’ to try and stop work on what they said was private property.
Virgin Media has now insisted it will try to “minimise disruption” – but that hasn’t stopped angry residents criticising the way the company and its contractors have gone about the work.
One local resident, David Townsend, said work started near his home on Loch Drive just a day after he and his neighbours received a leaflet notifying them of the disruption.
Mr Townsend said: “We had only been notified less than 24hrs before, by means of a flyer - I had not received any proposal letter.
“I pointed to the fact all the pathways belong to the homeowners and are private.
“The contractors were told in no uncertain terms not to undertake any works on my property.
“The contractors had already commenced digging up the pavement outside a neighbouring property, subsequently having to fill that trench again later, in a very shoddy manner.”
The quality of the work was also noted with residents criticising the contractors for their work digging and filling trenches.
Residents of Hillview Drive in the Helensburgh Upper conservation area were concerned when contractors came to talk to occupants about upcoming works due to the preservation efforts in place for the street.
Henry Garson, who lives in Hillview Drive, said: “There was some discussion with some residents - everything was very polite and friendly.
“However, in due course some marks were placed in the edges of the road and it was suggested a conduit trench would be dug up one side and possibly joining diggings over the road to the other side to link ‘traps’.
“Some considerable disturbance was envisaged to a tarmac street untouched since laid in 1988.”
When presented with residents’ concerns, Virgin Media said they will be commencing with work in the area soon and have notified residents of the works.
The organisation also said they have discussed the plans with Argyll and Bute Council.
However according to residents, no work has taken place since consultations were carried out two weeks ago.
A Virgin Media spokesperson said: “We will soon be carrying out works in Hillview Drive which will allow our customers to benefit from our ultrafast and super reliable broadband services.
“We wrote directly to residents in advance to let them know this work would be taking place, and as always we will aim to minimise disruption wherever possible.”
The Advertiser asked Virgin Media for a timetable for the works but none was supplied.
Argyll and Bute Council confirmed that they had been notified of the works by Virgin Media, and stated they had an obligation to work with utility companies carrying out roadworks.
The obligation comes under the New Roads Street Works Act (1991) which allows companies to proceed with works without requiring approval from authorities.
A council spokesperson said: “The council has a duty to work with utility companies to ensure that any works which utility companies carry out on the public road network are co-ordinated to minimise disruption to the traveling public and are carried out safely and reinstated correctly.
“There is a process where utility companies submit notification of their works proposals to the council.
“These notifications are then logged on a national register.”
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