Installation of Telegraph Poles and Overhead Fibre Cables, Commonside, Alvanley

Letter sent to Openreach 7th September 2026

 Re: Installation of Telegraph Poles and Overhead Fibre Cables, Commonside, Alvanley

Alvanley Parish Council wishes to raise a formal complaint regarding aspects of the recent installation of telegraph poles and overhead fibre cables along Commonside, Alvanley.

The Parish Council recognises that the installation of telecommunications infrastructure, including telegraph poles and overhead fibre cables, may be permitted under statutory planning powers and that there is no requirement for formal consultation with residents prior to such works being undertaken. However, the Council is concerned about the apparent impact of the works on a number of mature oak trees and the manner in which certain aspects of the work were carried out.

It has been brought to the Council’s attention that cables have been installed through and within the canopies of several mature oak trees. In a number of locations, branches appear to have been cut or broken where they conflicted with the proposed cable route. Of particular concern is the fact that damaged branches have reportedly been left hanging within the trees, creating a potential hazard to pedestrians, residents, road users and adjoining properties.

The Council is extremely concerned that mature oak trees, which form an important part of the character, environmental value and landscape setting of Commonside, may have been damaged during these works. Any pruning or clearance of trees should be undertaken in accordance with recognised arboricultural standards and by suitably qualified personnel.

The Council has also received a complaint from a local resident regarding the management of the works. The resident reported concerns about the adequacy of the traffic management arrangements and stated that traffic management equipment had been positioned in a manner that obstructed visibility when exiting the property. The resident advised that they were required to request that the contractor reposition the equipment in order to restore a safe line of sight. While the Council appreciates that temporary traffic management is often necessary during infrastructure works, it is concerned that sufficient consideration may not have been given to the safety and convenience of nearby residents and would welcome clarification regarding the measures that were implemented.

The Council is further concerned about the decision to route cables directly through the canopies of mature trees. As these trees continue to grow, branches are likely to come into increasing contact with the cables, potentially resulting in damage to both the trees and the fibre infrastructure. During periods of high winds and severe weather, movement of branches against the cables may also increase the risk of cable damage, service interruptions and the need for repeated pruning, leading to ongoing impacts on the health and appearance of the trees.

In light of the above, the Parish Council requests that your company:

• Undertake an immediate inspection of all affected trees along Commonside.
• Remove any broken or hanging branches as a matter of urgency.
• Provide details of any arboricultural assessments undertaken before works commenced.
• Confirm what consideration was given to the long-term implications of routing cables through mature tree canopies.
• Advise whether alternative routing options or mitigation measures were considered to reduce future conflict between the trees and the fibre network.
• Confirm what measures will be taken to ensure that further damage to trees is avoided during the completion and future maintenance of the network.
• Provide details of any remedial works proposed to address damage resulting from the installation.
• Provide details of the traffic management arrangements implemented during the works and explain how resident access and visibility were assessed and managed.

The Parish Council would appreciate a written response within 14 days of the date of this letter outlining your findings and intended course of action.

We trust that you will treat these concerns seriously and look forward to receiving your prompt response.