Grimsby broadband works causing mayhem, says councillor

Work to install broadband cables is causing "mayhem" in a North East Lincolnshire town, a councillor said.

Cables have been laid in the East Marsh area of Grimsby, but residents said the pavement had not been restored properly and gullies had been left blocked.

Councillor Steve Beasant said he had "never had so many complaints about a single issue".

Broadband company Grain said the work had not yet finished and that a "a thorough clean up" would take place.

The installation work is taking place on roads in East Marsh including Cooper Road, Weelsby Street South, and Columbia Road.

Mr Beasant said he received complaints over the past two months, and added: "It's mayhem down here.

"In all my time as a councillor, I've never had so many complaints about a single issue such as this."

Fellow councillor Nicola Aisthorpe told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that some residents said they were struggling to get out of their homes.

She said gaps had been left between paving slabs and sand and grit had been left on the streets.

Ms Aisthorpe called for "an urgent action plan".

A Grain spokesperson said the work was being carried out by "third-party contractors" and that 78 areas had been inspected and approved by the council with only two defects identified.

They said work was still ongoing and the contractor would "ensure that safe access is left for residents and that a thorough clean-up is carried out" before completion.

North East Lincolnshire Council said that not all of the damage was caused by the broadband works and some defects were the result of "general use" of the road.

It said: "A number of improvements were raised and from [16 October], a street works inspector from Equans will be specifically assigned to the Grain works across the area until they are finished."

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