VILLAGERS in Welland, near Malvern, have had their phone lines restored, more than two weeks after they were damaged by workmen.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, residents suddenly lost their phones on Monday, October 22, when an underground cable was damaged by workmen.

More than 20 faults were reported but excavation work to repair the problem did not take place until Wednesday.

Roy Lock, aged 78, of Garrett Bank, was initially assured it would be fixed within three days. Mr Lock, a retired businessman, said “dozens” of properties were affected.

“It seems ludicrous that this was left to go on so long and people had no real idea what was happening,” he said.

A spokesman for BT Openreach said the problems were caused by third-party damage to an underground phone cable on the B4208 and more than 20 faults had been reported.

Excavation work could not be carried out until permission for temporary traffic lights was obtained.