BT poles and their positioning?
Question:BT have mounted a pole in the road outside my house. A notice on the pole said that if we objected, we could write in. My next door neighbour who is also annoyed, contacted them by telephone. An arrogant representative came out to see him and said they don't need permission if it is on council land from whom they have carte blanche. Is this true?, has anyone else had a similar experience and challenged BT?, help appreciated.
Answers:
It is true, BT have statutory rights to site the pole where required on council land. Actully, they can site the pole on your land with thier statutory rights. Similar to water, electric and gas.
Your grounds for complaint are safety ( you can't see out of your drive ) or access ( the pole is in the middle of your drive entrance )
Try the Ombudsman but if BT say you can object then write (not phone). Any more arrogant bodies and get their name and details and try an have a witness alongside you. We were asked if we minded when a new pole was sited nearby so no problem.
I worked for 40 years on BT external planning. Yes BT have a statutary right to erect a pole on the council land outside of your property. However they do have to provide details of where you may make an objection. This would be considered if there were sufficient grounds for appeal such as restricting your access, and an alternative could be agreed with you. However the pole has to go somewhere, and BT are required to provide a telephone service. Careful consideration is taken to position it in the most suitable position to serve a number of properties, possibly including your own and your neighbours. If it is positioned elsewhere it could not serve it's purpose, and equally annoy another neighbour.
Contact your councillor or mayor and describe the eyesore. They may remove the carte blanche in your case.
COUNCIL LAND I DARESAY BUT PRIVATE LAND NO! I BOUGHT A PIECE OF LAND AND BUILT MY HOUSE ON IT AND IN THE GARDEN WAS A TELEPHONE POLE WHICH I TOLD BT I WANTED IT MOVED AND THEY DID IT STRAIGHT AWAY AND I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND THEIR REPS TO BE POLITE AND COURTEOUS
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