CityFibre Concern

[RJ2023]

Hi everyone,

I may be being paranoid but I have an increasing suspicion that CityFibre are planning to dig up my front garden / blocked paved parking spaces to lay in cables for broadband in my road.

The reason for this is they keep periodically turning up in a van, start to get tools and new cable out... and then drive off again when they see me looking out of the window so they know I am at home watching!

As far as I am aware based on my deeds there is no service strip and my front garden and parking spaces are fully owned by me. I have certain requirements to allow access to the water and electric companies but nothing about allowing instalation of new infrastructure across my property.

If my paranoia ends up being correct, I just wanted to check if there is anything I am missing that might allow them to do this...

I am obviously not against improving our infrastructure but everywhere that company goes they leave a mess!

They cant dig up your property, but have a look at your local council planning permission. We found a notice stuck to a telegraph pole close to our house stating that they were going to fit a new telegraph pole outside ours and next doors house immediately in front of our wall. We did not receive any letters or notices and so emailed the council, the fibre company and our MP stating this and our grounds for why we were against the plans. They held a meeting with our neighbour as we were unable to attend and the plans were amended so that the fibre would be re-routed. They turned up in a van a few days later and I also stood watching out of the window, whilst they carried out a new survey and put up a new notice stating the changes.

They must have a wayleave in order to do this. Check your deeds.

If not, place a simple temporary fence barrier for a bit, or add a sign saying private property.

Thank you - there is no wayleave in my deeds and I would never agree to one.

Hopefully I am just being paranoid - but I noted a month or so ago that they had spray painted an area with the initials "CF" (CityFibre) in the road further down from my house and I am guessing they are trying to work out how to connect it up.

As I say, I am not against improving infrastructure and I would not want to be the person who prevents everyone from having ultra high speed internet - but I just do not trust that company.