Internet down after contractor cuts through Zen fibre on Richard Street

Zen Internet

A number of businesses across Rochdale were left without internet access on Tuesday (28 February) after a civil engineering contractor cut through a core Zen fibre bundle on Richard Street.

The internet was down from around 9.30am until approximately 10.30pm, affecting businesses including Rochdale Online, The Rochdale Exchange and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council.

A Zen spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, a civil engineering contractor cut through a core Zen fibre bundle at approximately 9.30am yesterday on Richard Street, Rochdale.

“Some services were recovered by 9.40pm and all services by 10.50pm.

“All services have been stable since this time.”

A spokesman for the Council said: “A number of council systems were also affected yesterday but things were returned to normal quite quickly.

“We put some information on our website and took measures to minimise disruption to residents.”

Rochdale Online Managing Director Pauline Journeaux said: "It is highly unusual for Zen's service to be disrupted, I can count on one hand the number of times in the 15 years plus we have been with them, and though it did make things more difficult we have a (much slower but usable) back up in place off the premises."