A RESIDENT has been left fuming after an internet service provider starting digging up the pavement outside her house to put up a 15-metre high mast.

The resident, who lives on Sandy Lane in Darwen, said she hadn’t been notified that Internexus, the company bringing ultra-fast broadband to residents across Blackburn with Darwen, was going to erect the mast, calling them ‘disgusting profiteers’ and accusing it of devaluing her property.

Wishing to remain anonymous, the resident said: “Internexus just turned up at our house and started digging the pavement up saying they were putting a cable box and 15-metre mast outside.

“I phoned the council to find out why we hadn’t been notified and they said they couldn’t stop Internexus from doing it.

“Someone from the council even told me it’s causing them a problem as residents are constantly ringing to complain.

“I’ve rung Internexus too, to tell them we hadn’t been notified and the girl on the phone said all residents had leaflets dropped through their doors.

“She told me this twice, but it doesn’t matter how many times she said it, their leaflet dropper conveniently did not make their way up our drive, which happens to be the property they are sticking the mast and box outside of.”

The angry homeowner said Internexus began the work on Monday and was due to complete it by tomorrow.

She added: “Internexus said it being in view is not a valid complaint for it to move it as it’s a planned location."

Regeneration boss at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Cllr Phil Riley, said the council did not need to give planning permission to Internexus as it already had it from the government as the broadband installation was a statutory service.

He added: “I’m afraid this resident has no grounds to complain about the mast blocking her view or the devaluation of her property.”

A spokesperson for the company said: “Internexus obtains all necessary approvals required for the deployment of its infrastructure.

“We work closely with various departments within Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to ensure residents are informed about upcoming development and notify them of works that we are undertaking in their local area, and also make sure works are undertaken safely and completed as quickly as possible to minimise any inconvenience to residents."