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Jan 2023

Last Updated: 25/01/2023

Community

Ripon councillor calls for action amid concerns about broadband installation

by Tim Flanagan

| 26 Jan, 2023

A Ripon councillor has called for action following complaints about the disruption caused by contractors involved in the installation of a full fibre broadband network.

Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council and North Yorkshire county councillor for the Minster and Moorside division, told the Stray Ferret the works by the Make Happen Group on behalf of CityFibre had brought complaints from more than a dozen residents living on Whitcliffe Lane, Whitcliffe Drive and Elm Road.

He added:

"They are concerned about the potential dangers for both pedestrians and motorists, of accessing and leaving their properties on streets where construction work is ongoing, that have blocked off footpaths and are lined with barriers."

Cllr Williams, who has called for intervention from North Yorkshire County Council's highways department, which issued permits for the work to go ahead, said:

"When I visited the area at the weekend there were no road closed signs, no diversion signs in place. It was a complete mess. I even witnessed a motorist having to drive on a footpath to get around one of the contractors' vehicles.

"On Whitcliffe Lane one side of the pavement is unavailable and on the opposite side of the road they have put the signage on the pavement advising of the roadworks thus preventing people in wheelchairs or with a pram from using it.

"They are working in three locations at once, but these are not urgent works and therefore proper road closure signs should be in place with diversions and advance warning given to local residents."

David Black, one of the agents overlooking the installation on behalf of Make Happen Group, said:

"We operate to the the highest possible standards and our work is independently assessed, but you can never please all of the people all of the time.

"Our aim is to complete the installation quickly, efficiently and safely in a way designed to minimise disruption to residents."

Mr Black added:

"Our work on Elm Road is now complete and will be completed soon on Whitcliffe Lane and Whitcliffe Drive.

"I have been in contact with Cllr Williams and invited him to meet with me on site. That invitation remains open."

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