A Perth business owner has described BT’s attitude to more than 200 premises being without a phone for 10 days as “cavalier” and “absolutely ridiculous.”
Dr Tom Lowdon, 70, is one of many guest house owners in Pitcullen Crescent hit by the problem, which he claims has cost him a four-figure sum.
BT said the situation has been caused by a major cable failure and stressed that repairs could be carried out on Friday.
But Mr Lowdon told The Courier he feels BT is treating the problem as a “very low priority” and said it has affected scores of businesses in the area, including a care home.
“This has caused a huge amount of disruption,” he said. “I understand it’s a problem with the main cable and was told it would be repaired by this Friday, but that’s 10 days we’ve gone without a main phone and internet already. Fortunately, we have a system that allows our phone line to be diverted via a mobile phone.”
Mr Lowdon’s wife, Margaret, said she feels “isolated” due to the situation.
Diane McLeay from Scone who knows some of the guest house owners said: “The whole street of B&Bs has been without telephone service for well over a week and we can’t get answers or explanations from anyone.
“Further, the care homes in the area have no emergency services as a result and people have to come into the homes at night in case of emergency a totally unacceptable situation.”
A BT spokesperson said: “We have a major cable failure off the Perth exchange affecting around 240 local premises.
“A large underground cable needs to be replaced after a broken sewage pipe flooded BT’s underground network.
“A section of the road must be closed to allow repairs to go ahead, as access is needed via several manholes, and these works are subject to the usual permissions from the roads authority and statutory notice being served.
“Assuming all goes to plan, it is hoped to complete the repairs by Friday. We’re sorry for any inconvenience meantime.”