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Residents left without phone line for three weeks





Service to landlines was reported to have been disrupted in the storm that battered the district on February 14, and caused a falling tree to pull down phone lines in the village.
However, despite reporting the fault to operator BT, villagers have said that no action has been taken.
Following questions from the Newbury Weekly News, BT spokesman Ian Read said that the firm was working on a “quick fix”, despite the fact that the fault occurred three weeks ago.
He added that a “complex” repair was scheduled for March 24, which would see temporary traffic lights erected on Lambourn Road.
He failed to confirm how many properties had been affected.
Among those who have been hit is Jean Vockins, aged 70.
“I’m frustrated,” she said. “The telephone people came along and cut the wire and put it in the hedge.
“It’s dreadful because my mobile won’t work. I live under a wood and I have got no connection and I live on my own.
“I’m not afraid but I don’t like it. In emergencies you want to get help if you need it.”
Mrs Vockins said that despite numerous attempts to elicit answers from BT, each time she had been directed to a call centre abroad and came away just as clueless as to when the problem was going to be fixed.
Mr Read said: “This is a complex repair involving the replacement of more than 200 metres of aerial cable, which were damaged in the recent bad weather.
“Openreach engineers are looking into providing a temporary solution to those customers who have lost their service.
“In the meantime, Openreach have worked with the local authorities to organise temporary traffic lights in order for the repair work to be carried out, this has been arranged for March 24.
“We apologise to those residents who have been affected, we are working with the local authorities to help restore service as soon as possible.”



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