Deal over farm access for Openreach workers
The National Farmers' Union and the Country Land & Business Association are claiming it as a landmark deal on prior notice for works – and not before time.
They completed lengthy negotiations with Openreach which will benefit farmers and landowners and have resulted in a memorandum of understanding which will, for the first time, give certainty to NFU and CLA members working with Openreach on their land.
As part of the new agreement, Openreach has agreed to contact landowners before work takes place on their land, as well as to follow the Countryside Code, in an effort to cultivate better relations with those who have equipment on their property.
NFU vice president Gwyn Jones and CLA president William Worsley signed the agreement, which came into force last Tuesday.
Mr Jones said: "This new agreement goes some way to recognising the impact Openreach apparatus has on our members' land and their ability to farm it.
"The new memorandum of understanding is available for all members and will, for the first time, give certainty about what will happen in a number of circumstances.
"These could include whether there is a need for trees to be worked on, how access will be taken, or on the depth at which cables will be found. For the first time, this has been recorded for the benefit of all members."
Mr Worsley said: "This is a groundbreaking agreement, because it represents a commitment from BT and farming organisations to work together on the issues which arise from having Openreach apparatus on private land in the countryside.
"We have worked long and hard with Openreach staff to deliver what we believe will be a better understanding between Openreach contractors and our members."
Bob Downes, Openreach director, said: "We value the co-operation that we receive from farmers and landowners across the UK.
"Our telecommunications network forms an essential part of the UK's national infrastructure, and is especially important for those who live in rural communities.
"We also recognise our responsibility to conduct work on the network in a manner that respects the countryside and rural livelihoods.
"We welcome NFU and CLA co-operation in formulating an updated and appropriate framework for wayleaves and are pleased to sign up to this framework to ensure our engineers and contractors conduct necessary work in a spirit of mutual respect with landowners."
This new agreement on wayleave rates applies for three years. It should put right years of problems caused by access issues and farmers' claims of high-handed behaviour by Openreach operatives.
Members of the NFU can find details of the new rates in the Telecoms Business Guide, available from their local office, or Callfirst on 0870 845 8458.
CLA members can obtain the CLA Guidance Note on the new agreement at www.cla.org.uk/guidancenotes, or by contacting their regional office.
