HOMEOWNERS say it has been "more than a nightmare" after they claim workers sliced through broadband cables leaving them without internet for weeks.

The mass transit system project has caused upheaval in Northern Approach Road and residents have previously complained tremors caused by the roadworks have damaged their homes.

People are now saying they have been left without internet and landline access for three weeks after claims builders cut through broadband wires to a nearby cabinet in Wallace Road.

The situation is compounded by the fact building contractors John Sisk and Son have fenced off a wire cabinet which BT engineers need to access to carry out the repair.

Gazette: Deadline – the works are due to finish at the end of JulyDeadline – the works are due to finish at the end of July (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

After weeks without internet, broadband, and landline access, residents have now had enough, with one saying it has been “more than a nightmare”.

Mr Joshi, of Hakewill Way, Colchester said: “It was reported on May 3 when builders cut through copper cables.

“BT Openreach have been out but they can’t do anything because there’s a fence around the cabinet.

“They might as well cut everything else off whilst they are at it.”

Another resident, 31-year-old Matt Whitehead, said he logged on to start his shift on Tuesday morning only to find the internet was down.

He said: “I couldn’t log on so I had to call colleagues to sort out my customers.

“I called BT and they said it would be back at 3pm, then they said it would be 7pm, and then they said it would be 7pm the following day.

“It was extremely inconvenient because I had to drive to my nearest office in Ipswich.”

Mihaela Lazurca, 44, said her internet was seriously affected in January when her son was sitting university exams.

Gazette: Access – broadband cabinets had been fenced off by builders, a resident saidAccess – broadband cabinets had been fenced off by builders, a resident said (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

She said: “We didn’t have internet for three to four days – it was very bad because he couldn’t submit in time.”

A spokesman for John Sisk and Son said: “Although the works are statutory diversions associated with the RTS, Sisk is not responsible for the contractors undertaking the works.

“We have been actively working with Openreach from the onset of the project to co-ordinate activities.”

BT was contacted for comment, but did not respond at the time of going to press.