‘Blundering’ telecoms workers installed a Connect Fibre cabinet right outside our driveway – we’ve nearly hit a pushchair, mobility scooter and runner while trying to pull out

• EXCLUSIVE: Steve and Emma Old said the cabinet has ‘obliterated’ their view 
• Have you had a similar experience in YOUR area? Email [email protected] 

A couple have told of their ‘dread’ after a huge Connect Fibre cabinet was installed right outside their driveway by telecoms workers – causing them to have several near misses with cars and pedestrians. 

Steve and Emma Old, of Harworth, north Nottinghamshire, said they have nearly hit a female jogger, a pushchair and a mobility scooter while trying to exit their driveway, which is located near a bend. 

Mr Old, 58, claimed that even in his transit van he cannot see over the top of the cabinet, leaving him terrified to leave his house in fear of an accident. 

The couple, who said the box was installed in July this year, said they contacted Connect Fibre and their local council about the cabinet but have had no luck in getting it removed. 

Have you had a similar experience in YOUR area? Email [email protected]. 

Mrs Old, 46, told MailOnline: ‘I dread the day myself or my husband have an accident due to the dangerous placement of this cabinet.

‘You can imagine the problems, the near misses, the upset and the anxiety that we are currently going through on a daily basis, this has been the case for some months.

A Connect Fibre cabinet (pictured) has been installed right outside a couple’s driveway – who claim the unit is blocking their view of the road and causing near-accidents 

Steve and Emma Old, of Harworth, north Nottinghamshire, said they have nearly hit a female jogger, a pushchair and a mobility scooter while trying to exit their driveway

The couple said they fear the day they have an accident due to their vision being ‘obliterated’ by the cabinet 

‘We arrived home to a large green cabinet at the side of our driveway completely restricting our line of sight when exiting our drive.’ 

She added: ‘Due to the height of this unit we cannot see pedestrians, mobility scooters or anyone else on the pathway. We also have to pull into the road some 600mm to clear the cabinet before we can see round the bend to our left.’ 

Connect Fibre told MailOnline they have been in contact with the couple and worked closely with the Local Authority to ensure that the installation poses no safety risk. 

Mrs Old said: ‘We are so disillusioned right now, it is the support from our village who are seeing our daily issues, having to slow down to let us out of our property, the pedestrians we have nearly hit when pulling onto the path completely blind. ‘ 

READ MORE: Furious homeowner returned from holiday to find driveway blocked by telecoms workers – who then put up 9-metre telegraph pole outside his house

Mr Old, a self-employed joiner, claimed he is scared to pull out of the driveway because his van is not tall enough to see over the cabinet, causing him to have several near-accidents. 

He told MailOnline: ‘I pulled off my drive on Sunday morning and nearly hit a jogger – that was about two weeks ago when she was jogging down the pavement and because of the height of the box I just couldn’t see her.

‘My wife nearly hit a pushchair, nearly hit a mobility scooter, and there have been a number of occasions where you have to pull out that far to look left that by the time you thought you know it’s clear to pull out […] you have to check again again so there’s been quite a few near misses with vehicles as well.’ 

The couple said they have to pull into the road some 600mm to clear the cabinet before they can see around the bend to their left. 

‘It takes a strain on my wife to be fair, because you know she does the school run twice a day, she’s pulling out for work, like most people you do numerous things.

‘And because it’s a main road we don’t leave the vehicle on the road – we get one on the drive and one in the garage. And it is taking a strain because the worrying thing is if there is an incident, it will be us who is to blame. We simply can’t see.’ 

He added: ‘It just completely obliterates our view.’ 

Mr Old said his van is not tall enough to see over the cabinet when he starts pulling out his driveway 

A view of the Connect Fibre cabinet through the couple’s vehicle 

READ MORE: Homeowner’s fury after telecoms workers set up ‘eyesore’ telegraph pole right outside his home ‘without any warning’ – THEN gave him 28 days to complain

Mr Old said he met with a Connect Fibre representative on site on two occasions and an agreement was made to install a convex mirror which was rejected by the LA due to risk. 

A spokesperson for Connect Fibre told MailOnline: ‘Connect Fibre installed the cabinet as part of its mission to bring hyperfast broadband to the communities that need it. For many years, the UK has lagged behind other countries in deploying full fibre broadband and we are determined that the UK should not be disadvantaged any longer.

‘We believe that every home should enjoy the best and most reliable internet at an affordable price. We are investing millions of pounds to bring 21st century full fibre broadband to communities – allowing speeds in excess of 1000Mbps – 15x the national average.

‘We have had several interactions with Mr and Mrs Old, and we have worked closely with the Local Authority to ensure that the installation poses no safety risk. The cabinet installation was approved by the Local Authority (permit reference G3005-180837-TRIEX-01).’ 

They added: ‘After listening to the Old’s concerns, we visited the site again on 25th July 2023 to double-check that it was safe. We confirmed that all measurements and the cabinet were within regulatory requirements as required under the terms of the permit, and that it posed no health and safety risk.

‘Connect Fibre shared its findings with the LA who also carried out its own site inspection, and they also confirmed that the cabinet does not pose a risk to health and safety and that it did not need to be moved.’ 

MailOnline has contacted Nottingham County Council for comment.  

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