A PETITION of almost 1,000 names, each complaining about the state of the pavements left behind by cable work, will be submitted to Nynex bosses this week.

Bill Collison is spearheading the campaign to make the cable company put excavated pavements back as they were once workmen have completed their work.

Mr Collison, of Bolton Road, Kearsley, claims he has the support of the entire community.

But Nynex claim they are working responsibly and say much of the pavement damage is caused by people parking vehicles on them. Mr Collison, whose campaign to have a Nynex box moved from near his own home was reported recently in the BEN, said: "After the article appeared I had people telephone me about problems they had been experiencing.

"Pensioners living in the village of Prestolee were upset about the state of the pavements outside their homes and we came up with the idea of a petition.

"I have taken petitions around at nights, and others have taken them, and not once has anyone refused to sign. That is how strongly people feel.

"There are flagging stones relaid sticking up all over the place - and not only are they unseemly, but dangerous too. The level of work is not acceptable. "In town centres local authorities seem to have greater control to make sure things are put right, but further out they do not seem to be able to keep track of all the work that takes place.

"Nynex seems to be able to go wherever they want and carry out shoddy work without having to face any repercussions."

A Nynex spokesman said: "Work in the area is ongoing and we are presently undertaking remedial works to complete the area.

"There were problems prior to our works with many of the footways in a poor existing state.

"These problems are exacerbated by continual on street parking which causes extensive damage to flagged footways.

"We have been working closely with the highways department and local councillors, having received only a few calls from the area and are not aware of any enquiries that are outstanding.

"However, should we receive representation from the residents of the area we would obviously take the matter very seriously and investigate their specific concerns thoroughly."

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