New pavements in Spixworth dug up as row rages near Norwich

People living in Crostwick Lane and Rosetta Road had enlisted councillors to fight their cause and years of complaining to Norfolk County Council finally paid off last month.

However, delight quickly turned to bewilderment when, around four weeks after the work was completed, City Fibre dug up the freshly laid asphalt. 

CityFibre are currently installing cables in Spixworth (Image: Denise Bradley)

As the work to run fibre optic broadband cables continues, neighbours have been left frustrated by the disruption.

Mark Knight, chair of Spixworth Parish Council, called the lack of communication between the county council and City Fibre "disappointing".

He said: "We're not against having fibre in the village but we'll be holding City Fibre to account if it's not put back how they found it.

"We waited many years for that work to be done."

Mark Knight is chair of the Spixworth Parish Council (Image: Mark Knight)

Dan Roper, a Lib Dem district councillor, said: "I could point to dozens of places where time would have been better spent doing the work.

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"Many locals are frustrated as they are constantly getting caught in roadworks in Norwich."

Dan Roper, Dan Roper, Liberal Democrat Broadland councillor for Spixworth (Image: Dan Roper)

A county council spokesman insisted the authority always aims to "coordinate" works with utility companies to reduce "disruption and cost".

They continued: "Unfortunately, this isn't always possible and work will sometimes take place in quick succession.

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"While this isn't ideal, it is important we continue to accommodate work that seeks to install and maintain essential services.

The pavement in Spixworth was only recently replaced (Image: Denise Bradley)

CityFibre has been replacing the pavement and road affected during the works (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Where work is undertaken, there is an obligation to return the road or pavement surface to its original condition."

Neil Madle, City Fibre's partnership manager for Spixworth, insisted that would be the case, saying: "City Fibre would like to thank the residents of Rosetta Road for their patience and assure them that we always aim to complete reinstatement works to the highest standards in the fastest possible way."