OTLEY’S MP is calling for urgent action from Virgin Media after he received "an abundance of complaints" following the installation of cable broadband in the town.

Mr Sobel is trying to set up a meeting with the company to discuss the issues raised by local people.

He said “Residents are concerned with the state that roads and pavements have been left in around Otley.”

The Leeds North West MP said: "Whilst MPS do not have any jurisdiction over private companies and cannot instruct them to act, I will always try and represent constituent concerns.”

“I have therefore requested a meeting with Virgin Media to discuss the issues or at the very least have some form of correspondence from the company to assure my constituents that the situation will be resolved, unfortunately to date I have not received any response to my request.”

“Whilst it is great news that Otley now has cable broadband, which will be beneficial to local businesses and home workers, utility companies have an obligation to reinstate roads, paths, verges etc to a certain standard.”

One resident who contacted Mr Sobel said: “I am surprised at the amount of surface damage to the road and pavement due to the equipment that was used and that no repairs have been carried out so far.”

The Department of Transport set out standards in the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways, which also covers footpaths, cycleways, and verges.

The latest document (4th edition) was published in 2020 and states: "To make sure services operate reliably, utility companies must, from time to time, maintain, repair and install apparatus under our roads. Given the impact these works can have on the travelling public, it is important that they are completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. At the same time, utilities have to reinstate the roads to certain standards to ensure they do not shorten their life or create uneven running surfaces."

Mr Sobel said he would continue to address the issue with Virgin Media to ensure compliance with the standards has been or will be met.

Otley and Yeadon councillor Colin Campbell said: "This is a major piece of infrastructure work which will bring the opportunity for fast broadband to residents. It will affect all the roads in Otley and there are bound to be some issues. If residents do have problems I would encourage them to contact me so I can raise them with Virgin Media."

A company spokesperson said: “Virgin Media is currently in the process of expanding its network in Otley to bring ultrafast broadband to more homes and businesses in the area.

“The condition of roads and pathways are monitored throughout the build, and we have promptly worked with local residents to seek a resolution to the small number of complaints we have received. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”