FRUSTRATED residents at a new development in Moredon say they have been waiting five months to get a phone and broadband service.

Twenty two families, who recently moved into Nightingale Rise, are waiting for BT to connect them – despite some of them having ordered it months ago.

Pauline and Kevan Martin, both 56, said they placed an order on November 28 for the telecoms services to be available from December 19 – the date they moved into their new house in Wayte Street.

However, Pauline said although the wi-fi hub arrived and the lines into the house had been installed by developer, Barratt Homes, BT had not connected them up.

She said BT had given her £80 towards the cost of using her mobile phone, and buying a Dongle, which allows the family to connect to the web via a mobile phone.

She said she has also been given an additional £10 compensation for the missed appointment in December.

Pauline, who works for the MoD, said: “I think it’s disgusting to be honest. You aren’t getting any service.

“They don’t seem to be bothered. I’m registered disabled. If my mobile phone happened to die in the night, I’ve got no line. There are no pay phones nearby.

“It’s just not fair. My husband works and he needs the internet and the Dongle isn’t fast or reliable.”

Pauline said BT had missed about five installation dates, the most recent being Wednesday. However, she said the firm had always offered excuses, such as engineers being unavailable due to the Christmas holidays, or the available engineer not experienced.

At the latest appointment this week, she said BT claimed the wiring had been sorted and it would take a few days for work at the exchange to connect residents to the network.

Rob Campbell, 42, said he moved into Edith New Close on November 28 and paid for a Sky package in December, but BT and Sky have blamed each other for the delays.

He said: “Every month we’re just told it will be next month, it will be next month. I have been waiting for approaching five months now.

“You can imagine what my mobile bill is at the moment, it’s just ridiculous.”

A BT spokesman said: “Openreach would like to apologise for the delay in providing service to people in Nightingale Rise and appreciates the frustration.

“Engineers have been clearing underground blockages, laying new ducts and installing 3km of underground cable to connect these homes to the network.

“They hope the remaining work will be completed in the next week.”