Lorry crash on a140

DOZENS of homes are today cut off from their telephone lines after a lorry crash on the A140 knocked over a telephone pole.

The lines were brought down yesterday after a lorry jack-knifed at Creeting St Mary and crashed into a ditch.

Both overhead lines and the telephone pole were damaged during the accident, which saw traffic held up for several hours.

The accident happened at just after midday and partially blocked the Norwich-bound carriageway of the notorious road.

Traffic diversions were set up via the A1120 and the A14. Ambulance crews treated the male lorry driver for shock.

It is believed approximately 50 properties have been cut off from their telephones.

Among those affected is Crowfield Airfield. The airfield's Andrew Williamson said: "We've contacted BT and have been told it will be at least Thursday until we are reconnected.

"These things happen I guess but it's not helpful for the business, particularly as we can't get on the Internet.

"I wouldn't be surprised if it was later than Thursday as there was an accident where this happened before and we were off for much longer."

BT customers affected are advised to report the fault as soon as possible so incoming calls can be diverted to another phone.

Customers are also entitled to money towards mobile phone calls while the landlines are out of order.

BT spokesman Eric Barr said: "This is quite a common occurrence, it's by no means unusual.

"It's a sizeable logistical job to get contractors into the site to do the work we need.

"Before we can get on with the work we must make the area safe for people to work on, as well as for the public and passing traffic and it could well be this takes a few days.

"We hope people affected appreciate the size of the task and accept out apologies for the inconvenience."

n. See page 11 for details of the new A140 action group.