Cut cable - how long for connection to return after fixed?

It is very sad that a customer has to go to such lengths as making enquiries with the council to confirm that VM is lying about the reasons for a delay. It is also very sad that other customers have also done this on past topics and found out the same was true, so clearly this is not a one-off event but a recurring pattern of behaviour by VM and its agents.

Keep all of this evidence (hopefully you got something in writing from the council) and do so in a timeline format. Link your evidence (screenshots, emails, text messages etc.) to each entry on the timeline so that you build up an easy-to-follow narrative of everything that has gone on. This will be helpful when you (inevitably) have to go to the ombudsman to get the correct compensation.