RESIDENTS whose phone lines and internet connections have been cut off for more than a month have described their ordeal as "mental cruelty".
Helen Fenwick, of Carver Road, Immingham, has burst into tears because of the stress of "unresolved promises" from BT, and over forking out for mobile phone top-ups.
So far, she has used £80 worth of credit, as well as changing to a contract phone, since November 29, when contractors arrived to upgrade the cables.
Since then, she and six other residents have been without a service. Helen, who has been a BT customer for 42 years, fears most for her vulnerable neighbours, one of whom is disabled, because they wouldn't be able to call 999 if there was an emergency.
She said: "I'm lucky because I'm fit and well.
"But my neighbour experienced a bad situation, so I rushed round to help and tried to call 999 on their phone, and then remembered the line was down, so I had to run and get my mobile.
"My heart just sank and it makes you realise how dangerous it can be when lines are dead and they have no money left on their mobile.
"This is causing me so much stress. BT keeps promising me dates when it will be resolved, but nothing happens.
"It is like mental cruelty – getting our hopes up for a completion date and then nothing happening.
"I'm a valued customer and even have extra channels through BT Vision, but I can't watch them."
Carver Road resident Bob Sharp, who has also been cut off, said: "I can't Skype my son, who lives in Manchester.
"I also use the internet for banking, and I have bought my daughter a new laptop, but she can't go on the internet.
" I am paying bills for Sky and also Netflix, where you download films.
"It is so frustrating."
