Contractors working for Virgin Media have laid hundreds of metres of cable ducting along streets in Bradley Stoke over the last two months (as predicted in our August magazine), but the telecoms giant is still refusing to publicly confirm that the work is part of a massive expansion of its cable network to reach thousands more homes in the town.
The first sign that a significant expansion of the network was being planned came in June when the roadworks.org website showed that Virgin had registered plans to lay several kilometres of ducting in over 30 Bradley Stoke streets from 21st September. In the event, work actually got under way somewhat earlier, with Journal readers reporting that trenching work and duct laying started in Webbs Wood Road on 27th July.
The work soon extended into Juniper and Fennel Drive, where it is still continuing, and paint markings on roads and pavements suggest that Lavender Way is likely to follow soon.
Work has also been under way for several weeks in Oaktree Crescent and Stanshaws Close, and began in Cornfield Close and Courtlands in late September.
However, the projected start dates for work in the other 30 or so roads identified by entries on roadworks.org have now variously slipped to October through November.
It is thought that it is likely to be some months before residents in the newly-cabled streets will be able to place orders for Virgin Media’s broadband and TV services, but the company is inviting people to register an interest via its website and will contact them when the system goes live.
The Journal has pressed Virgin Media for a updated statement, but nothing has been forthcoming since the end of July, when a spokesperson told us: “We are currently considering a number of areas for our expansion plans, including Bradley Stoke, but we are unable to provide any further details at this stage.”
The work already under way has not been without problems, with several readers taking to our website and Facebook page to complain about inconsiderate behaviour by the contractors and streets being left in an untidy state after the work has been completed.
Comments on Facebook
Daniel E: Had them in my road a week or so ago and they decided to just chuck all their c**p, tools and pipes all over my front yard for a couple of days without even asking.
Katie W: They did the same to me, so called the number of one of the vans and within 20 mins had some one come round then an hour or so later had someone from Virgin come and say sorry. They seem to think most bits of land are council!
Mark P: [They started in] Juniper way two weeks ago and still not finished!! Holes and barriers everywhere! #dangerous
Lorna P: They have left quite a mess in parts of Juniper Way. Certainly haven’t left it as they found it! And blocked the roads on more than one occasion so bin lorries couldn’t access our cul-de-sac #notahappybunny
Lisa F-A: I’m in Oaktree Crescent. They have been here well over four weeks. They’ve dug up the ground outside my house more than once now. Damaged my fence, caused me to kerb my car with their disgraceful driving and many times I have not been able to get on or off my drive for the school run as they are in the way!
For the latest news and information, visit our Virgin Media Network Extension page.
This article originally appeared in the October 2015 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
POSTSCRIPT: A Journal reader reports that Virgin Media’s contractors started work in Lavender Way on 5th October.
Photos: (1) Virgin Media trenching work in Stanshaws Close (early September). (2) Newly-installed Virgin Media street cabinet in Courtlands (late September).
Hi,
Do you know if they are cabling up Hawkins Crescent and The Spinney, please?
Cheers,
@CSadler, The only source of information we have is roadworks.org and that shows no plans for Hawkins Crescent and The spinney.
Hi
If people in these streets google ‘cable my street’ then and send emails to Virgin, they may do it. Over the years many in Bradley Stoke have submitted requests, hence they are cabling requested streets.
Simon
Thanks for the info.
Weird how they wouldn’t just do every street in the area.
Please help us keep our ‘Virgin Media network extension’ status page up-to-date. So far we are aware that work has been carried out in these roads: Cornfield Close, Courtlands, Fennel Drive, Juniper Way, Lavender Way, Marjoram Place, Oaktree Crescent, Stanshaws Close, Webbs Wood Road and Wheatfield Drive. Do you know of any others where work has started? Please leave a comment on this post, giving the approximate date that the work started.
Iv be working on this type of work for over 30 years and what ever happens you will always have people moaning and groaning over what we do ,if people and residents in these streets in the above mentioned come out and ask us what we are doing then we would be very pleased and helpful to explain , we work In all weathers to get this job done as quickly as possible. So think of us boys working hard every day to Hearn a few quid to pay bills and have a bit of fun with or children and grandchildren (were only doing a job)
Hi,
Does anyone know when virgin will start connecting homes to super fast broadband ? All works only street are already done. I was looking for an answer but couldn’t find anything but maybe any of you knows a bit more ? The name of street is Rosemary Close.
Hi Chris,
It will be a few more months I think before they are able to get service running.
Yes the main works are completed, but they then need to run in the infrastructure (ie fibre cables) and then connect all the new grey boxes etc up.
Don’t expect service before Christmas!
I’ve been speaking to the Cable My Street Team as I’ve been wanting to know about the dates, this is what I had come back
“They have advised that the revised completion date is now March 2016, however this is still an estimated date and subject to change.”
Also I contacted them to see if my street was in the plan to be connected up and it was 🙂
I had an email from them saying my street was due to be cabled – nothing showing on roadworks.org though.
I’m wondering if they are doing work in the roads which don’t have any CATV boxes in the footway’s, As my street doesn’t show up on roadworks.org either, but there are several CATV boxes in the footway’s.