Cut-off BT users upset at long wait

MAYFIELD residents have been cut off from the rest of the world for more than two weeks because BT has failed to repair their telephone and internet connections.

Homes and businesses have been affected, with the cause of the problem being attributed to a damaged cable in the Eastfield Lane and Piccadilly Lane areas.

Chris Laslett, 40, and his partner, Shellie Beattie, 27, have been particularly affected by it as they run their own livery business.

Having advertised shortly before the problem began, Mr Laslett estimates they have lost out on up to 90 per cent of new business due to having no landline to handle queries from potential clients.

He said: "Shellie has just given birth and so we had taken a break from the business whilst she was in hospital. We advertised in order to get things moving again and then this happens.

"We've lost out on lots of phone messages and it has really affected the business at a really important time for us."

Mayfield and Five Ashes parish councillor Jayne Bramwell, who lives near the affected area but has not had the problem, is in disbelief at BT's procedure and is aware of how it is adversely affecting residents.

She said: "I'm bewildered that BT should need to contact the Highways Agency for something as straightforward as repairing a cable.

"There are people who work from home who rely on the use of their telephone and internet."

Simon Rudge, of Piccadilly Lane, is another resident affected and said his mobile phone bill will rocket due to its constant use.

He said: "I find it intolerable in this day and age, given our reliance on the internet, and BT are showing no urgency in fixing the problem."

A BT spokesman said: "The cable affected is a small cable and we have less than 10 faults reported on it.

"Once we have permission we will work as quickly as possible to minimise disruption in the area and restore service to those affected."

But East Sussex Highways spokesman Kathryn Langley refuted it had been responsible for the hold-up.

She said: "We are not withholding permission for these repairs to be completed; in fact, we have been working with Openreach to make sure they can take place as soon as possible."

She added work to solve the problem had begun on Wednesday and was expected to be finished today.