Trespassers Disrupt BT’s Westwood Exchange in Peterborough

BT’s Westwood Exchange (EMWSTWO), which is located in central Peterborough (Cambridgeshire) and serves 10,000 premises in the city, is suffering on-going disruption after a number of trespassers gained access to the property last Friday evening (3rd Feb 2017) and remain on the site.

According to a notice from Openreach, which has been seen by ISPreview.co.uk, the operator yesterday took the decision that it was “no longer appropriate to allow any access to the site or the exchange building until the situation has been resolved.” As a result all jobs currently allocated to engineers, that are dependent on access to the exchange, have been “put on hold.”

Openreach warned that it could take a “number of days” before everything is back to normal and meanwhile their engineers will try to provide service to “as many customers as possible via alternative routes to minimise any impact.” Local broadband and phone services are live and have so far been unaffected.

At this stage it’s not known whether any of BT’s property has been damaged, although Openreach said that they’re currently working with their legal and security teams, as well as the local police, to establish access. In the meantime the operator has thanked local customers for their “patience and support.”

So far the trespassers, who appear to be travellers that have setup camp outside, have not entered the building itself and so any damage should be minimal. Historically it can take a bit of time to remove such people from private land, particularly if they refuse an initial request to leave.