Whilst most local authorities treat BT's proposals as permitted developments, some do require more input from BT than the usual consultation documents .

Lewisham is not one of those authorities and it normally only calls for planning appliations where substantial pieces of above-surface kit may be included in the proposed installation. The normal sized green street cabinets do not fall into this category.

BT do have to obtain permits along with all other utility organisations for all excavation activities on the footpaths and highways of the borough. These do not take 3 months to obtain and there is web-site where you can view all permits that have been granted.

This appalingly managed programme may now be considered to be some 21 months in delay. BT obfuscated the issue by starting with an FTTC installation for the exchange and switched mid-stream to FTTP/H.

The problems are all of BT's making. Poor management and an absence of accountability for the delivery of this project is where the culpability for this fiasco lies.