Cable company attempting to resolve viral lawn dispute

A misunderstanding over property boundaries has caused a stir in Milton Keynes after a broadband installation ended up digging through a womans garden.

Openreach, the cable provider, said its team believed they had permission from the homeowner's neighbour to lay cables. However, the project unexpectedly extended into Ms. Melanie Abbotts lawn, sparking a viral reaction online. Videos of Ms. Abbott confronting the workers and her neighbour have been viewed over four million times on TikTok.

The neighbour explained that she had anticipated a narrow trench within her own property, dug manually, rather than a wider trench crossing Ms. Abbotts lawn. She stated she had apologized and intended to clarify the situation with Ms. Abbott.

Footage captured by Ms. Abbotts doorbell camera shows her challenging her neighbour over allowing the work without consent. Ms. Abbott reported the incident to Openreach and said she would seek legal guidance.

An Openreach spokesperson said: Permission from landowners is always required before work on private property. In this instance, we believed permission was granted, but there appears to be a disagreement about the exact boundary.

The company added that discussions with both parties were ongoing to find a solution that would resolve the dispute peacefully.

Ms. Abbott noted that the installation had begun before she was aware and explained that upgrading to full fibre was necessary as the copper network was being decommissioned. She stressed that the workers had no choice but to access her garden to complete the work.

The incident has sparked widespread attention, highlighting the importance of clear communication and boundary agreements when utility work is carried out in residential areas.

Author: Olivia Parker