New overhead line fitment query.

Do Openreach need permission to span a line from a pole in a field across the road which then crosses over my garden and a tree to the house next door which was a rural holliday home but has now been sold but no one in full time residence yet ..... maybe another holliday home once again?

The line is not many feet above a small fir tree unfortunately I wasn't around when the job was done to query the OR linesman but I guess it didn't matter that the tree could grow into the line some time in the future.


http://postimg.org/image/6gbgv7fwr/

http://postimg.org/image/fzl5oo3ez/

Edit: typo

Edited by Apprentice (Mon 23-Feb-15 15:35:12)

Do Openreach need permission to span a line from a pole in a field across the road which then crosses over my garden and a tree to the house next door

No they don't. If however the dropwire is now obscuring the view from the window, you might have some recourse to have it rerouted.

I suggest that you write to Openreach pointing out that the line has been installed without your permission, and that it is above your trees which will grow.

I rather think that the normal telecommunications act code powers require them to obtain your permission. If you were to decline I would think they would have to obtain a court order to proceed. IANAL!

I suggest that you write to Openreach pointing out that the line has been installed without your permission,

That would imply that you own the airspace above your land wouldn't it ?? Am I then able to request that planes passing overhead seek my permission before they enter No.14's airspace ?? So all these pictured houses had to grant BT/Openreach permission to erect the dropwires as they have flown over someone else land ? I really suspect not.

I'm sure If I lived there it would not be there for long, say a windy day ! a length of rope and a good pull

In reply to a post by APTMAN:

I'm sure If I lived there it would not be there for long, say a windy day ! a length of rope and a good pull

Glad you're not my neighbour

I would risk losing Internet and phone (which may be essential) because you have a grievance with BT. I'm sure you wouldn't really do it but it might give others the wrong idea...

I doubt that you would be troubled by planes flying that low.

If it was the branch of a neighbours tree, you could cut it off, though you must return it.

Thanks for the variety of replies everyone

This is from the Openreach web-site:

What are "flying wires"?
Under certain circumstances, Openreach is allowed to "fly wires" over an adjacent property from an existing pole without the need for a wayleave. This permission only applies providing we do not need to enter the property concerned to do so, that the wires are at a height of 3m or more, and that they do not interfere with the normal business on the property.

Found on the following page:
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/contactus/wayle...

Which is from the following section (Wayleaves):
http://www.openreach.co.uk/orpg/home/contactus/wayle...

I hope that helps clarify the situation.

Bear in mind also that the alternative to a flying wire might be an unsightly new pole on your property boundary.