Oops

Rik · Apr 06, 2009, 17:50:44

El Reg reports that:

QuoteBT is still working to restore access to thousands of people and businesses in east London left offline when a tunnel borer cut through fibre cables and copper wire. The problem is also preventing Transport for London from managing its traffic lights.

Contractors working on the Olympic site in Stratford sent a large thrust borer through a deep level BT tunnel on Saturday afternoon. Some 70,000 customers were initially affected. A BT spokeswoman told us: "So far we've managed to restore services to 50,000 homes and business. Work is continuing around the clock to restore service to the remaining affected customers."

I hope the contractor gets the bill.

Glenn · Apr 06, 2009, 17:51:45

It must be chaos around there with no traffic lights working at this time in the evening

Gary · Apr 06, 2009, 17:52:09

Oh can you imagine the faces of those responsible for that one

Gary · Apr 06, 2009, 17:52:28

Quote from: Glenn on Apr 06, 2009, 17:51:45
It must be chaos around there with no traffic lights working at this time in the evening

Nothing new there then

Rik · Apr 06, 2009, 17:52:47

Indeed. You'd think that, by now, this sort of thing wouldn't be happening.

Gary · Apr 06, 2009, 17:55:18

Quote from: Rik on Apr 06, 2009, 17:52:47
Indeed. You'd think that, by now, this sort of thing wouldn't be happening.

if you can by a gadget in Wicks to find cables in your own walls, well you would think they could miss huge copper cores by checking first with something like that? Not one from Wicks though, but maybe............

Rik · Apr 06, 2009, 17:58:12

BT could have told them...

Simon · Apr 06, 2009, 17:58:43

I wonder if something was said which rhymes with clucking bell?

Gary · Apr 06, 2009, 18:03:09

Quote from: Rik on Apr 06, 2009, 17:58:12
BT could have told them...

BT tell people things

Gary · Apr 06, 2009, 18:03:39

Quote from: Simon on Apr 06, 2009, 17:58:43
I wonder if something was said which rhymes with clucking bell?

oh I bet the air was blue Simon

Rik · Apr 06, 2009, 18:04:25

They do, or did, have a department specialising in advising contractors about the location of cable ducts and tunnels.

kinmel · Apr 06, 2009, 19:43:59

Transco recently used a borer to lay an new gas supply pipe under my neighbour's garden, according to the operator the tunnelling head has a sensor that warns if it is approaching metal, or water.

His only worry is it won't detect plastic gas pipes !

Sebby · Apr 06, 2009, 19:46:07

I read about this earlier. It sounds like a serious, serious screw up! And BT are helpless in a way until the tunnel is re-built.

drummer · Apr 06, 2009, 21:48:56

This is quite an interesting sociological phenomenon. Several members of Swimbo's family have been affected by this and they're all completely freaking out about it.

They feel cut off from the world, even though they can use their mobiles to make voice calls and access the interwebby thing.

Not sure what conclusions (if any) can be drawn but I suspect yer average consumer now regards Internet access as essential, rather than optional.

Sebby · Apr 06, 2009, 23:43:39

I agree with you. Not having internet for a couple of hours feels like you're cut off from the world, or it does for me at least.

Rik · Apr 07, 2009, 08:40:14

Thirded. It now has reached the same level as gas, electricity and water - 'essential' to daily life and expected to be working.

Ray · Apr 07, 2009, 08:47:17

Quote from: Rik on Apr 07, 2009, 08:40:14
Thirded. It now has reached the same level as gas, electricity and water - 'essential' to daily life and expected to be working.

I agree, Rik, I certainly miss it if there is any problem and I can't get on line.

Rik · Apr 07, 2009, 08:53:35

I break into a cold sweat if the lights are off on the router, Ray.

Ray · Apr 07, 2009, 10:29:58

Quote from: Rik on Apr 07, 2009, 08:53:35
I break into a cold sweat if the lights are off on the router, Ray.

The Network Health Icon for my WHS Console tends to have that effect on me as well, Rik.

Rik · Apr 07, 2009, 11:03:58

I know just how you feel, Ray.

David · Apr 10, 2009, 20:39:22

I read this earlier in the week and cant recall who was posting about either a disconnection but they were miles away but from what I gather users as far away as Cumbria had been affected....................so it was not just a local thing.
I dont live too far from Stratford and traffic here flows much better without lights as has been proved so many times in the past.

It when the controllers mess about with the phasing.....I know there is a need for this but motorists need more freedom when it comes to this as it has been shown here at a very busy intersection with the A13 that there are less accidents and traffic flows much better with no jams when the lights are out.......strange that isnt it ?

bobleslie · Apr 10, 2009, 21:17:22

No choice but to go slower when the lights are out?

David · Apr 10, 2009, 21:29:50

There is that but also when not being controlled its amazing how many dont rush and actually drive in a way that traffic moves freely I was very surprised.
Perhaps there is too much control by men sitting in front of screens

Gary · Apr 11, 2009, 10:53:39

Quote from: Rik on Apr 06, 2009, 18:04:25
They do, or did, have a department specialising in advising contractors about the location of cable ducts and tunnels.

Didnt he do well

Rik · Apr 11, 2009, 10:56:45

Well, there's certainly been a breakdown in communications...

Gary · Apr 11, 2009, 11:13:26

Quote from: Rik on Apr 11, 2009, 10:56:45

Well, there's certainly been a breakdown in communications...

Rik · Apr 11, 2009, 11:16:01

Sebby · Apr 11, 2009, 12:26:17

I can't help but giggle at that one...

David · Apr 11, 2009, 13:09:21

Pardon ?