Shared accessways and private right of ways

Property access to install fibre broadband

To install fibre broadband to homes and businesses that share an accessway or private right of way with other properties, we need to first do some work to bring our network from the street to the boundary of each property in the accessway. 

 

As a result of a change to the Telecommunications Act 2001, Enable now follow a simplified process for installing fibre where there are multiple interests in a property.

 

The work we do will fall into one of three build categories depending on the impact it will have on the shared accessway or private right of way, as set out in the Telecommunications Act.

Our build categories

 

We determine the build category when we first visit the property and plan how we’ll undertake the work.

If you or a neighbour has ordered fibre, you should have received or soon will receive an information pack detailing the work we need to do in the accessway, including which category that work is classed as.

1. The work will have minimal lasting effect on the shared accessway or right of way.

We'll typically be deploying our network under soft surfaces or using a surface mounted cable method, such as installing duct along a fence railing. 

 

2. The work will have some physical impact on the shared accessway or right of way.

We’ll typically be deploying our network under some hard surfaces using methods such as slot cutting to minimise the impact. We’ll give you at least 15 workings days’ notice before we begin work. In some instances, you can lodge an objection to the planned work.

 

3. The planned work will have a greater impact on the shared accessway or right of way.

We’ll typically need to do trenching work in order to install our network. This requirement may be due to the length of the installation work required or the number of properties on the shared accessway or right of way. For category 3 builds, we need consent from the owners of all neighbouring properties that have legal entitlement to use the shared accessway or right of way before we do the work.

 

Enable is committed to ensuring we have as little impact on properties as possible by choosing low impact installation methods. Examples of our methods can be viewed here.

Lodging an objection or dispute

 

If you want to discuss the planned fibre build in your right of way or shared accessway, give us a call on 0800 434 273 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-5.00pm) and we can talk you through what it means for you.

 

If you're still concerned about the planned fibre build and the work has been classed as category 2, you can lodge a formal objection to the proposal on limited grounds.

 

Enable is a member of a third-party dispute resolution scheme relating to property access. If the work proposed at your place has been classed as a category 1 build, or you disagree with our decision regarding a category 2 build objection, in some instances you are able to take the matter further under the dispute resolution scheme.