Richard Master

Last month, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) published some important guidance for providers of telecommunications infrastructure in England during the current pandemic. The guidance is called: COVID-19 guidance for telecommunications infrastructure deployment in England.

Our Property team works with several clients who rent space to telecoms providers so we thought sharing the following summary, which was originally published by Thomson Reuters Practical Law, would be beneficial.

The guidance, which emphasises the importance of maintaining the telecommunications network at the current time:

  • States that more than two people can gather to undertake repair and maintenance work on the network.
  • Requires landowners and occupiers to continue to allow emergency access rights to property where these have been agreed with telecommunications providers.
  • States that contractual obligations between landowners/occupiers and telecommunications providers should continue to be observed, particularly provisions relating to access to sites to inspect, maintain, adjust, repair or upgrade electronic communications equipment.
  • Notes that, where properties are unoccupied, landowners should consider putting in place steps to help facilitate access by operators.
  • Reminds telecoms workers and operators who need to enter residential properties that they and residents should follow the guidance on social distancing.
  • In relation to streetworks, states that works involving network maintenance and fault repairs, customer repairs, network build, and increasing network capacity should be allowed to continue. Workers must follow the guidance about taking precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The guidance also links to the Highways Authorities and Utilities Committee (England) joint statement advising practitioners on operating responsibly to help control the spread of COVID-19.

If you would like to discuss any issues relating to this topic, please email Richard via Richard.hamilton@dbf-law.co.uk or call 0161 832 3304.

Testimonials

Read what our clients have to say...

View All

Excellent experience start to finish – always very responsive to any queries and the turnaround on the property I was buying was very quick, even in the busy time leading up to stamp duty deadline. Jenny was always very helpful and went above and beyond to close on a short timescale.

Ben Armitage

“Very approachable, practical solutions to problems, but most of all very responsive which I personally think is very important because if you need help, you need it quickly, or at least to know someone is looking at it for you”.

Joanne Rowe, Finance Director, Greater Manchester Chamber

“Always able to contact, very approachable, friendly and professional”

Nives Feely, JAM Recruitment

“I believe I have been able to establish a professional working relationship with everyone I have come into contact. Importantly, I sense the relationships which have been established give me the confidence that I can make contact with Davis Blank Furniss at any time and on any matter. I would also like to express my thanks to the very impressive “gatekeepers” who work in reception, not only for making me very welcome, but also for their professionalism”

Bill Pryke, CEO, Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors

“Thank you for your efficient and friendly help throughout this process. We have had it easy but your approach has been part of that”.

Robert Amsbury (Conveyancing Client)

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”

Valerie Fisher (Probate Client)

“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”

Peter Fernandez, Corporate Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”

Anon (Personal Injury client)

“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.

Anon (Family client)
5 star service

Our Manchester office is rated 5 stars on Google