Forum Discussion

Kim15's avatar
Kim15
Joining in
17 days ago

Front Garden Dug Up

Sorry I know this doesn't relate to your query but I don't know how to post on this forum! The problem is I have just opened my front door to find virgin media digging my front garden up...in order to accommodate the neighbors request for wifi, I was told that they are allowed to do this as the council owns part of my grass by the service grid ( my house is privately owned) they didn't request permission no wayleave agreement no knock on door, have video etc and security cameras what can I do please ?

Kim

11 Replies

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person

    So the VM catv box is in your garden and not on the footpath as normal? A photo may help to understand the issue.

      • Sabrina_B's avatar
        Sabrina_B
        Icon for Forum Team rankForum Team

        Hi Kim15 👋.

        Thanks for reaching out to us, sorry to hear of the issues that you are facing with our partner team disrupting your garden. So that we can get more information from you regarding this we would need to bring you in for a private message. Please look out for the envelope on the top right of your web browser or if you are using a mobile device, it will be located under your profile icon.
         

        Thanks.
         

        Sabrina

  • Hi Kim15, 

    Thanks for taking the time to contact us via the Community. It's lovely having you on board with us in the Forums. ⭐

    We're sorry to hear the team have dug up part of your garden. If where the teams have dug is part of the service strip then no further permissions from yourself would be needed. The team would have gained permission from the council directly. There is a legal requirement to allow access to a service strip for utility companies and the Roads Authority to carry out necessary works. These strips, are considered part of the public highway, and therefore no permission is needed. 

    If the teams have performed work outside of the service strip and moved into private property, please let us know. You can check the boundaries and service strip details within the deeds of your property.

    Many thanks, 

    • Kim15's avatar
      Kim15
      Joining in

      Hello Kath

      I believe that it isn't part of the service strip and it's my private garden so where do we go from here , you have said to let you know.

      Thanks

      Kim

       

       

       

  • -tony-'s avatar
    -tony-
    Alessandro Volta

    you need to be proactive - the workmen will tell you what they want and like most in VM make it up as they go on - i doubt they have a clue who the land belongs to but know enough to tell you its a service strip as that justifies their actions and [hopefully] gets you off their back - if you have your deeds check that and contact your local council asap

    VM will do little to nothing - they will try to convince you they are in the right with no actual clue if they are or not - Kaths answer is correct but the part about getting permission is likely an assumtion - wayleave and other permissions are often just for reference only with the contractors - the digging team are not involved in such things they just do as they are told

  • jpeg1's avatar
    jpeg1
    Alessandro Volta

    Post some photos of where they have dug, if possible to show where the boundary is between the service strip and your garden.  Without some clear evidence, Virtinmedia will just continue to bounce the problem back to you,

  • Kim15's avatar
    Kim15
    Joining in

    Hi

    How do you upload photos here please?

    Kim

    • goslow's avatar
      goslow
      Alessandro Volta

      When you make a reply on here, use the camera icon in the message toolbar to add a photo.

      Once you have posted a photo, there will be a delay before it appears while the photo is being moderated. Your message/photo won't appear instantly when you post (or it may appear immediately after posting only to disappear again shortly after for moderation).

      • Kim15's avatar
        Kim15
        Joining in

        Thanks I have done that and the photo appeared and has now disappeared so hopefully as you say should reappear shortly.

  • jpeg1's avatar
    jpeg1
    Alessandro Volta

    The photos don't show where your property finishes. Property deeds or Land Registry will show.