Connah's Quay Broadband Upgrade

Connah's Quay's residents oppose broadband upgrades, stop the installation of wooden poles.

23:52 26 May 2020

Openreach broadband full-fibre upgrade work on Connah's Quay was halted following furious reaction from residents. Elaine Marshall, 65 and resident on Kingston Drive, said that she and her neighbours were not consulted before the work commenced. She added that she was furious to find contractors digging holes outside her property in order to put wooden poles for new cables. 

 

"I was sick to my stomach and internally shaking with anger when I saw this," she said.

 

"I've already got a lamp post outside my house - I do not want a big wooden pole with cables coming off it as well. 

 

'They have put one pole already and it's horrible. It's going to be an eyesore in a lovely quiet street." 

 

Openreach confirmed they put the work on hold following the reaction from residents. 

 

The firm's spokesperson said: "We're in the process of installing new, full fibre broadband in Connah's Quay. Not only does this offer some of the fastest speeds in the UK, but it's also future-proof and more reliable. 

 

"We do our best to carry out work with great care. We want to create as little disruption as possible to local life and where possible, we use our existing infrastructure. 

 

"Sometimes - as is the case here - the only viable option to deliver full fibre is to install new equipment. 

 

He added: "We're using the smallest, thinnest poles for the job, and overhead fibre cables are much narrower than copper cables and less obtrusive. 

 

"Our field manager has listened to the community and has stopped the work meantime pending further discussions."