Could happen to anyone - Buried cables

[p.mcgonigle]

Hi
Hope someone could advise, local guy came today to lay my block paving and unfortunatley cut the cable for tv/phone etc from cable company, i was amazed to see that this was less than 50mm below ground with no marker or protection.
Anyway like i said could happen to anyone, what i want to know is how deep it should be etc so i can have a word with NTL.

many thanks

[Tony McC]

There are no legally-binding specs for cableTV wiring on private property. If they gave a Donald Duck, they'd make sure it was at least 300mm down, in a duct, with marker tape laid above, but the work is done on a price by sub-sub-sub-sub-contractors, so every possible corner is cut and you should think yourself lucky that yours was actually out of sight!

Have you tried calling NTL? Prepared to be underwhelmed by their concern - if you can get through, that is!

[mouldmaker]

It's my understanding that NTL acknowledge (not overtly) that their installations are bodged for the sake of speed and cost - they repair damaged cables on your property FOC - or at least, they do around here.

[p.mcgonigle]

Thanks guys it all helps, just don't see why the guy doing my drive should be blamed

regards
paul