Wightfibre has hit back at comments by a senior councillor questioning whether they are one of the worst utility companies in the UK.
Cllr Karl Love alleged he was told during inspection of the works completed by WightFibre, Island Roads found there was a highway failure rate of over 90 per cent.
In Cllr Love’s ward of East Cowes, he said the figure was as high as 96 per cent.
Wightfibre: Statistics “completely inaccurate”
Island Roads declined to comment on the statistics, but WightFibre said they did not recognise them and they were completely inaccurate.
John Irvine, chief executive of WightFibre, said it is disparaging for Cllr Love to describe WightFibre as he did.
He said,
“WightFibre’s Gigabit Island project is delivering immense benefit to the Island through the delivery of next-generation full-fibre broadband fit for the 21st Century.
“WightFibre works closely with Island Roads to ensure all works are carried out to the required standards and these are often in excess of the standard of the footway prior to WightFibre’s work.”
Love: Could they be among one of the worst utility companies in the UK?
At last month’s full Isle of Wight Council meeting, Cllr Love, cabinet member for adult social care and public health, asked what the authority was doing to protect the public purse, saying it would be massively impacted if the highways were not repaired properly.
He said,
“Could it be possible that a 96 per cent failure rate and its improvement order, which they have been on for two years, puts them among one of the worst utility companies in the UK?
“My concern is to protect the PFI investment, right across the Island. What are we doing to ensure they put those highways back?”
Jordan: They are under a remedial notice
Cllr Phil Jordan, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said Cllr Love had answered his own question as WightFibre was on an improvement notice.
He said,
“I have been to see some of the poor finishing. They are under a remedial notice to bring it up to a better standard, the standard we expect Island Roads to deliver for our money.”
The only comfort he could give Cllr Love, Cllr Jordan said, was they were trying to hold WightFibre to account.
A spokesperson for Island Roads said they were working with the council and WightFibre to ensure work met the required standard.
They said,
“Work is ongoing and while there have been significant issues, we would not want to comment on the position at any one snapshot in time.”
WightFibre were also the subject of council debate two months ago when it was asked if they could be called before one of its scrutiny committees.
The company said they would be more than willing to explain the standards they set themselves to the committee.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
