BROADBAND upgrades in a Connah's Quay road have been put on hold following a furious reaction from residents.

Kingston Drive resident Elaine Marshall told the Leader she woke up on Thursday morning to find contractors digging holes outside properties in order to put up wooden poles for new cables.

Ms Marshall, 65, said she and most of her neighbours went straight out to object to the Openreach broadband full fibre works, which she said she was not consulted about.

The Leader:

One of the poles residents have objected to

"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.

"None of the residents do, they were up in arms.

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

"We went out there to stop the contractors. My neighbour even offered to lie down in the street so they couldn't dig."

The Leader:

The poles arrive in Kingston Drive

Following the reaction from residents, Openreach confirmed the installation has been stopped pending discussions.

Ms Marshall added: "We've had a reprieve at the moment, but we don't know what's going to happen next.

"Cables should be done underground now - not criss-crossing over the street which will bring the value of our homes down.

"We're practically going back in time doing it this way."

An Openreach 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.

The Leader:

Kingston Drive resident Elaine Marshall

“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.

"Our contractors were installing several new poles across the area, having followed the correct planning process and gained the relevant council permission.

"We’re using the smallest, thinnest poles possible 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.

"We’re now in the process of reviewing the upgrade with the local community to see if we can reach a resolution that’s in everyone’s best interest.

"We hope they understand our position and the benefits that full fibre would bring to the whole community for the next several decades.”