A FORMER city resident has urged people to fight the 'ugly' superfast broadband poles which make the city 'look like Bangkok'.

The CityFibre poles have been put up in Bishops Avenue and Wilfred Close off Merriman's Hill in Worcester, leading to complaints from residents.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said the poles interrupted views of the Worcester skyline and Malvern Hills, making the city 'look like Bangkok'. 

Residents also told their councillor, Jenny Barnes, of incidents of contractors trespassing on private property, digging up a communal garden and carrying on work before consulting with them.

One former city resident who has protested against the poles elsewhere has now urged residents to resort to protest to get them removed.

Bernard Gocher was born in Battenhall in Worcester and was involved in protests against the introduction of similar poles in Exeter, where he now lives.

READ MORE: Residents thought CityFibre broadband fibres would be 'underground' in Bishops Avenue

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He says, following protests by residents, the poles have since been removed in Exeter and he is advising people in Worcester to launch a protest.

"People power got them removed," he said.

Mr Gocher said: "A couple of years ago BT erected these ugly poles in the area I live.

"Such was the protest they were forced to take them down and put the cables underground. The people of Worcester should fight this.

"These poles were erected in the road I live in and many others in Exeter.

"I supported the protest, the local MP Ben Bradshaw took up the cause with our local paper The Express and Echo. They were a blight on our landscape. BT had to remove them."

The MP said at the time on Twitter in January 2019: "Huge unsightly telegraph poles appearing in parts of Exeter to deliver superfast broadband are ridiculous outdated solution to 21st century issue.

"Residents, councillors and I raising strong objections with @WeAreOpenreach, asking them to think again and find underground alternative."

Previously, a spokesperson from Worcestershire County Council said it is required by law to grant road space to the Fibre Optic companies so work can be carried out.

"As a council, our powers relate to managing the safe movement of traffic concerning these works. The aesthetics and style of infrastructure and behaviour of the company when working on private land have no Traffic Management Service input.

“Telecoms operators, including City Fibre, hold Code Powers, which enable them to deploy their network under the Electronic Communications Code on the public highway."

Neal Wright, CityFibre’s Area Manager for Worcester, said: “Our team is using a range of build techniques to roll out our full fibre network and in most cases, we place a small black connection box in the ground or on a nearby utility pole, but this can vary due to the unique environment of each street. This delivers access to faster and more reliable connectivity quicker and with less disruption than a below ground deployment and it minimises disturbance to residents by reducing the need for roadworks and restrictions.

“We understand that infrastructure works can cause some disruption, however, we always work to manage this closely with all stakeholders, ensuring our build is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. CityFibre is investing £21m to deliver a city-wide full fibre network that will future-proof Worcester’s digital infrastructure for decades to come. We want to thank residents for their patience and support as we transform the area’s digital capabilities.”