Openreach pole sparks protest from Marlborough residents

New telegraph poles were installed in Purlyn Acre, a small close in Marlborough, on August 2 as part of an Openreach project to bring full fibre broadband to the town.

But one pole in particular, which sits in the open space between multiple houses, has drawn the anger of residents for “spoiling” their view.

One local, Janet Romijn, said: “It looks terrible because there is a pole blocking the only view we’ve got, I thought poles like this were a thing of the past.

The pole in the middle of the close (Image: Newsquest)“You look out the sitting room window and it’s all you can see, it spoils the look of the outside and we’re worried about the impact on when we come to sell our properties.

“We never had any notice of this, it was a shock when the chaps turned up and started putting them in, and we’ve tried to complain but haven’t had a response yet.”

Want to see fewer adverts and more exclusives on the Gazette & Herald? Become a digital subscriber now for just £5 for five months

Mrs Romijn said she and her neighbours did not have any interest in upgrading to full fibre due to the cost.

Protest against the installation of poles has occurred in multiple streets across the town, including the nearby Rogers Meadow where plans for new infrastructure were scrapped after complaints from residents.

The pole in the middle of the close and residents who object to it (Image: Newsquest)A statutory notice placed on the pole indicates that neighbours can object to the new apparatus by contacting the BT Pole Objection Team within 12 months.

Openreach insisted that efforts are always made to minimise the visual impact of their infrastructure but that in this case no alternative solution could be found.

They added an employee has been tasked to assess the situation.

A spokesperson for the company said: "Our engineers and build partners are working hard to bring ultrafast, ultra-reliable full fibre broadband to Marlborough. This will not only create huge benefits to families and businesses in the area but also a welcome boost to the local economy.

Another pole in Purlyn Acre, Marlborough (Image: Newsquest)“Wherever possible, we use existing infrastructure (poles and ducts) while building Full Fibre. We’re aware of the visual impact our equipment can have and the balance between cost effectiveness, aesthetics and safety can be difficult to achieve. As a result, there are times when we simply cannot avoid erecting poles to provide services efficiently, safely and in a sound engineering manner.

“In this case, a new pole was the only feasible way of delivering ultrafast Full Fibre to this street."