RESIDENTS have had to endure a ‘nightmare’ as a result of broadband works going on until the early hours of the morning in Bournemouth.

CityFibre is currently laying new fibre optic cables in Surrey Road, however heavy drilling that started during the day on Monday, October 18, continued until the early hours of the morning.

Resident Darryl Newman said: “It’s an absolute disgrace, the noise was unbearable and it was shaking the house - we couldn’t sleep until it had stopped.

“I don’t have a problem with them doing the work at all, but it’s unfair to keep drilling and using heavy machinery late at night.”

The works are expected to continue until Wednesday night, October 20.

Darryl said: “When I spoke to the supervisor of the works, I was informed that we should have received a letter telling us the works would take place during unsociable hours.

“I didn’t receive a letter, nor did my neighbours.

“I understand if it’s an emergency like a gas leak, an issue with the electricity or something - but this isn’t essential and we’ve been told it is going to be continuing until Wednesday.”

After speaking to the council, and to the supervisor again Darryl was told that the work would be completed by 11pm.

Darryl said: “He then told me the works would be finished at 11pm, but then at 11.30pm they were still going - by the time the noise actually stopped it was around 12.30am.

“It’s totally unacceptable.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We are aware that due to unforeseen circumstances CityFibre ran outside of the extended working hours permitted by the council during their ongoing works at Surrey Road in Bournemouth. Under their works permit CityFibre were also required to issue letters to local residents informing them in advance of any upcoming works.

“Any works permit breach can potentially lead to the issuing of a fixed penalty notice.’’

The work is part of a £30million project to bring the next generation of broadband to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

CityFibre is in the process of expanding its network to serve almost every home and business in the BCP Council area, the firm said earlier this year.

Lucy Cooper, CityFibre’s city manager for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, said: “Our construction team unexpectedly found some concrete tram lines while undertaking work yesterday. Unfortunately, this caused our team to work past the 11pm deadline to clear the site and ensure it was safe to continue.

"We always try to keep disruption to a minimum and apologise for any disturbance this has caused.

"As we carry out this £65m investment to deliver a district-wide full fibre network that will future-proof Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole’s digital future, we want to want to thank residents for their continued patience.”