WORKERS on a £40m project to improve the town's broadband left a Toothill man "trapped" on his own driveway.

Gareth Cooper was stunned to find blue barriers and an 18in trench restricting access to his home in Idovers Drive.

He made the discovery last week after hearing noise outside at 8.45am - and said it was not clear the workers were there on behalf of CityFibre, the firm responsible for the network upgrade taking place around Swindon.

“My car was on the drive and they (the workers) didn’t put a barricade next to it because there wasn’t enough room to put the barricade between my car and where they were cutting,” said Mr Cooper.

Swindon Advertiser:

“They then dug an 18-inch-wide trench, that was a foot deep all away along the road using mechanical diggers and mechanical equipment.

“None of the workers had any emblems, no notices, none of the corporate identity was on the van. They just had hazard stickers and highway maintenance written on stick-on strips."

He says none of the workers would tell him who they worked for.

He then contacted the police and a police community support officer was sent round.

He was stopped from moving the barriers himself but then called CityFibre, when it was established it was them who was doing the work.

“I got through to their complaints department who informed me, that their permit to work is sub-contracted," Mr Cooper said.

“Their permit to work from the council is only authorised if they give us (the residents) seven working days’ notice to the start date and the duration of the inconvenience.”

Mr Cooper claimed he had not been given any notice about the work which was due to take place.

Swindon Advertiser:

“In order to walk off my drive I have to find a builder, ask them to stop working, move the barricades, remove machinery and then put down boards for me to walk over," said Mr Cooper.

“Then they put it all back again for them to carry on working.

“Then when I want to re-enter the property, I have to ask them to do the same thing."

He added: “I would have loved to have been to co-operate with these people beforehand because I work from home.

“I am fearful for my property, I’m fearful for my access, I’m concerned by the negligence and the lack of communication.”  

Neil Madle, CityFibre’s city manager for Swindon, said: “We’re sorry to learn about this issue as we always endeavour to minimise disruption and complete all works as quickly as possible.

“The works on Idovers Drive is part of our £40m digital infrastructure investment across the town, and we are working closely with stakeholders to ensure works are completed swiftly and efficiently.

 “We can assure residents that we do everything in our power to inform the community well ahead of work starting, which includes direct mail, press and speaking directly to individuals.

“We are grateful for the continued support we’ve received from the local community and ask that they continue to bear with us while we work to future-proof Swindon’s digital infrastructure.”