Simon Danczuk slams “shambolic” BT as business cut off for three weeks

Claire Brophy, Manager of Jamilla Paul Hair and Beauty, frustrated at BT phone outage

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has slammed the slow response from BT Openreach as several homes and businesses in the town remain cut off following the Boxing Day floods.

Rochdale business owners have reported being without a phone line for over three weeks, leaving them unable to process card payments.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/100445/bt-customers-express-anger-as-phone-lines-remain-down

Mr Danczuk raised the issue in Parliament on Thursday (21 January) and called for a debate on whether BT is “capable of providing what is an essential service”.

In response, Government Minister Chris Grayling said the delay was “of serious concern” and agreed the problem needs to be resolved urgently.

Mr Danczuk has also written to Openreach CEO Joe Garner, describing the slow response as “unacceptable” and demanding information on when the properties will be reconnected.

Mr Danczuk said: “It is absolutely unacceptable that these businesses have been cut off for over three weeks.

“If these homes, shops and offices were in London, I find it hard to believe that Openreach would have taken this long to fix the problem.

“Many of these businesses are struggling in the aftermath of the floods and some are at risk of closing altogether if they continue to lose custom because they cannot process card payments.

“Rochdale council and the local community have done an incredible job helping those devastated by floods to get back on their feet. But they have been badly let down by this shambolic response from BT Openreach.

“I have written to the CEO stressing in the strongest possible terms that I expect this situation to be resolved as a top priority.”