Elderly people are 'suffering' after a Merseyside town was "cut off from the outside world".
Earlier this month, residents around Lower Close in Halewood reported their landlines and broadband had suddenly been cut off and were told it was an external fault. However, two weeks on this has not been restored, raising concerns that should someone require an emergency, they will be unable to call for the help they need.
One resident who lives elsewhere in Halewood told the ECHO : "If there's no broadband or landline access, what if an elderly person has a monitor or needs to call direct to someone? It's just not good enough. In that area, it's mainly elderly people who live there, what if something happens to them, who do they call?
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"What if there's a fire and they can't call for help, what if they miss hospital appointments? That's a section of Halewood that is cut off from the outside world, it's shocking."
Work is currently underway in the area to build new homes as part of Knowsley Council's ' masterplan ' with Redrow, Bellway and Miller on board to deliver the East of Halewood development. Roadworks have been in place for several weeks as part of the ongoing development, causing 'disruption' to the area.
One resident who has been affected by the current issues, who did not wish to be named, said: "Faults do happen but everything seems to be back and to. We were told it could take at least three weeks because a planning application is needed but then told it could be longer and it is a case of just wait and see.
"But in those weeks while it's off what happens if there's an emergency? Having no broadband is an inconvenience for some, but for the older residents, having a landline is essential. For some, it could be the only form of contact with loved ones or for a doctor or hospital appointments.
"No-one really seems to be bothered about getting it sorted either. Essentially, we are paying for a service that we can't actually use but the bigger point is people being stuck."
Knowsley Council confirmed they have not received any 'Street Work Permit' planning applications from telecommunications companies for the area. A spokesperson added: "In any case, in the event of an outage, telecommunications companies are authorised to carry out remedial works immediately that a problem is identified providing they inform the council and then apply retrospectively.
"Damage to a cable was reported by contractors working on Lower Road to BT on Friday 11 March 2022. We understand that the contractors are awaiting BT to visit the site to carry out the necessary repairs to the cable. The council is not causing any delay to the repair works to be undertaken."
It is not yet known when the work will take place. A spokesperson for Openreach said: "We’re very sorry for the ongoing loss of phone and broadband for a small number of people in this area. This has been caused by damage to underground cables by a third party working in the area. We need to replace around 20 metres of cable and we’re hoping to get this done as quickly as possible. We’re waiting for confirmation of exactly when this work will be done."
