Residents in villages in Hertfordshire have been left without internet after a colony of nesting rats chewed through broadband cables.
The leafy town of Tring was worst hit by the outages after engineers discovered the mischief of rodents gnawing at the ducting, outer casing and multiple cables - which usually requires a power-drill to get through.
Openreach, who provide internet for BT, apologised for the disruption describing the rat attack as an “extremely rare” incident.
An Openreach spokesperson said their engineers “worked through the night” and connectivity was restored for most people by 2am on Wednesday.
They added the repair effort had been hampered because access to its underground chambers had been covered over within a private property.
“Engineers have now gained access to the ducts and are in the process of repairing and replacing the damaged cables before re-sealing it to prevent further damage,” the spokesperson said.
Openreach said it aimed to have all the customers back online by late Wednesday.
Outraged residents took to social media after Gagan Mohindra, MP for South West Hertfordshire, claimed th BT network was “unfortunately affecting some residents in Tring”.
One replied: “Some residents in Tring? It’s Tring, Berkhamsted, the villages etc. GP surgeries, dentists, vets are unable to receive calls or access patient records!”
Another said: “Some residents”? It’s been going on since Friday 28th July and affects many residents, businesses and public services in Tring and surrounding villages in Herts and Bucks. Anyone who uses BT or BT cables. There should be more resilience and asset protection.”
Tring has no Internet.
— Our Bookshop in Tring (@Our_Bookshop) August 1, 2023
It's been down since Monday, and won't be up again until Friday. #Bliss
The solution is to read a book? pic.twitter.com/pX07hW8NKz
Sian Jones, who also lives in Tring with her partner and three children, told GB News how difficult the last few days have been over the Summer holidays.
“It’s been hard because everything runs through the internet,” she told the broadcaster.
“I don’t drive and my partner works in London so bar dog walks we’re kind of stuck in the house.
“And my phone is the only device that is connected so you can imagine the arguments between the kids over it.”
