'Essential work' typically means some sort of civil engineering work such as digging to clear a blockage, laying a cable, fitting a connection point in the pavement etc.
This work is typically handed out by VM to sub-contractors. Once this is done, VM seems to have little involvement/control/interest in what goes on. The delays which this causes are a regular source of complaint on here.
You will be eligible for compensation for the delay
https://www.virginmedia.com/help/billing-and-payments/automatic-compensation
but keep good notes of everything in a timeline format with evidence to accompany each entry on the timeline (such as texts, screenshots, emails etc.) as VM frequently tries to wriggle out of paying in the topics described on here and you may need to go to arbitration to get paid what you are owed.
You are quite likely to find that any dates VM gives you have little/no value to them in terms of you relying on them. This is because they are often just automatically generated and have no relation to any planned activities.
You are unlikely to receive a reply from the VM forum team here in ‘Community Natter’. Wait for a VIP or moderator who might move your topic to a better forum, such as ‘Quick Start, Setup and Connections’ to get a VM reply.
