Electric Cable running across Garden

[pirate]

Anyway, as the new cable is substantially different, and follows a different route, you are on a winner, in theory. As you have offered a sensible compromise, you can do no more as a good neighbour.
Funny how the calmest of folk will give the neighbours range Rover a two-bob coachline though...
NOT recommending that, obviously!

 

[Paula]

Anyway, as the new cable is substantially different, and follows a different route, you are on a winner, in theory. As you have offered a sensible compromise, you can do no more as a good neighbour.
Funny how the calmest of folk will give the neighbours range Rover a two-bob coachline though...
NOT recommending that, obviously!

£280 is that a lot? South East here - everyone charges a bomb! and thinks everyone is loaded just by location
thank you! thought the same and happy to compromise for the sake of peace and ease.
enjoy your steak and Rioja

 

[Midwest]

...and just for further info, I have made a seafood paella today and filmed it, so it will be on a youtube channel near you soon!

Bet you put pineapple chunks in it...

 

[Taylortwocities]

Good to get some validation here that a) it is ugly and b)they cant just run cables across my land willy-nilly

Yes it is ugly and they have absolutely no right to access your land and/or to run the cable outside their own boundaries - these will be detailed in the deeds/plans.

You need to write them a formal letter, say that you do not want to be unpleasant, or un- neighbourly but that you have taken advice (don't say its us) and they do not have permission from you to run the cable across your property..
Request that this must be removed within a period (set a reasonable time, like 7 days). When you have written a formal letter, they have to respond in writing or act to resolve.

If they do not, then take the letter, and other eviodence etc to citizens advice, or to your local friendly solicitor. Most will provide a free half hour to advise you what your options are.

 

[Spoon]

Also add to the letter that the electrician has not done it to the regs as it is below 3.5 meters from the ground.
The electrician should come back and correct his mistake for free.

 

[Octopus]

£280 is that a lot? South East here - everyone charges a bomb! and thinks everyone is loaded just by location
thank you! thought the same and happy to compromise for the sake of peace and ease.
enjoy your steak and Rioja

Where in Surrey are you?

A few of us on here are in Surrey.

Nobody can say if £280 is a lot or not unless they know the full scope of the works undertaken.

 

[Darkwood]

My take on this is at first impression it is a poor install, keeping the swa square on the building then coming across to a raised post level in line with the houses dividing ridge would have been more aesthetically pleasing for everyone, I would ask for copies of certificates supplied and meet them in the middle on this, if they come back and rectify what is a poor design then you will be happy.
The problem lies if they have paid the ferryman already, paying for the work is a contractual agreement you are happy with the work done especially as the concern about the work is visual so your neighbour is now in an arkward position.
I don't feel their was any deliberate malice and clearly the fact they corrected the old cable was an effort to address your concerns.

It still looks a crap install though!

PS - comments about a breach of reg's due to the height have been voiced, the particular reg would not cover this, it is not a public route and/or are there any vehicles that will be using the route which would make it subject to a minimum height, common sense would apply for the height in this particular case.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Overhead conductors shall be at a height above ground of not less than 6 m in all areas subject to vehicle movement

unless their is a f**KIng tank in that back garden .

 

[buzzlightyear]

hay she has a spare washing line ,so why mone.

 

[Midwest]

Think we're done now; I'm off to check out my washing line and cook some paella (no chunks), and offer advice on Access to Neighbouring Land Act or something similar.

 

[elsparko]

hire a digger for an hour and drag it off the wall by force

 

[Adam W]

I can see their point - they've bought a property believing there was mains electricity in the shed, and you've bought a property knowing there was a cable crossing your land to power their shed.
They've already had the cable replaced at your request and to your specification, but now you want them to replace it again, but have it installed differently.

You could either come to an amicable solution, most likely involving you meeting them halfway with the cost, or it would be a matter for solicitors, however bare in mind it could come about that they have an implied right to keep their cable where it was.

 

[Squid]

Out of interest how does the cable enter their flat?

Oh and I'd hate to have that eyesore hanging over my garden, the joys of joint freeholders as you need permission form the other freeholders plus you all still have a lease, been through this when redeveloping and selling my flat recently.

You could try invoicing you neighbours PCM for rent.

 

[elsparko]

hire a digger for an hour and drag it off the wall by force

I can see their point - they've bought a property believing there was mains electricity in the shed, and you've bought a property knowing there was a cable crossing your land to power their shed.
They've already had the cable replaced at your request and to your specification, but now you want them to replace it again, but have it installed differently.

You could either come to an amicable solution, most likely involving you meeting them halfway with the cost, or it would be a matter for solicitors, however bare in mind it could come about that they have an implied right to keep their cable where it was.

there is no grey area, airspace is sovereign

 

[Midwest]

hire a digger for an hour and drag it off the wall by force

there is no grey area, airspace is sovereign

Your just being stupid now.
https://www.google.co.uk/imgres?img...ovbAhXLCMAKHZCgCAAQMwg7KAAwAA&iact=mrc&uact=8

 

[elsparko]

Your just being stupid now.
View attachment 42285

youre*




to me there is no grey area here, i would find a way to rip that cable down by tomorrow but thats just me

 

[Midwest]

youre*




to me there is no grey area here, i would find a way to rip that cable down by tomorrow but thats just me

You're, if you're being picky.

 

[elsparko]

You're, if you're being picky.

the ' is less important than the e at the end, big difference in your/youre than youre/you're

 

[Squid]

Jeeeez now its English lessons by a Scotsman, whatever next ;o))))

 

[Darkwood]

Let us not take the thread off course with a spelling debate please and can we tone down the language, I know the software picks up the expletives but seriously is it too difficult to make a post without reverting to using it, we are not on a building site and can we remind you you're posting in a public forum so it does reflect on the forum as a whole.
Cheers.

 

[Pete999]

Oh they are the best arent they? Neighbour issues :-S
Thanks, this info is really helpful
The previous cable had been there for 7 years (unknown how long beyond that) but less noticeable as grey and ran along the wall for the main part. The new cable is thick, black and runs from their flat to their shed directly across my garden and air space.
I explained to them I am happy for them to run along and down my walls and under my path (to meet them halfway) and the wayleave would be good in this instance for future, but they already spent £280 on this shoddy job so are reluctant to spend more.

He was well and truely been Cowboyed then.

 

[pirate]

For the record, and sorry it's off-topic but there were NO chineapple punks in my paella!

Airspace is sovereign? Well, actually not quite as our government hijacked it for the purposes of selling off the rights to TV and radio and mobile telephone companies, allowing them to send their signals through that airspace, and to be fair, we all benefit from that in the end. How that money is spent is another debate...
There are complex legal issues here...get a lawyer in.

 

[buzzlightyear]

the question is ,she is in the ground floor flat ,how the hell did they get the swa cable to the shed .a magic carpet .
she must have been their to watch it go in .

 

[Octopus]

I would like to hear the "other side" of this tale

 

[Pete999]

For the record, and sorry it's off-topic but there were NO chineapple punks in my paella!

Airspace is sovereign? Well, actually not quite as our government hijacked it for the purposes of selling off the rights to TV and radio and mobile telephone companies, allowing them to send their signals through that airspace, and to be fair, we all benefit from that in the end. How that money is spent is another debate...
There are complex legal issues here...get a lawyer in.

Well pirate, for the benefit of Forum members, that a new one, "get a Lawyer in" it's usually get an Electrician in, a good post and a good idea.

 

[Squid]

The problem being is the cable was already there and it would be interesting to know for how long, it was replaced in the same position with a better safer cable, the trouble is the person who installed it did not adhere to the regulations in place and advise the customer that it should be run as per regs, the way it should have been done is that at the shed end they should have cemented in a scaffold pole and as Pete mentioned ran a catenery wire to the house to attach the cable to (I wonder if my stuff is still installed at Kew and Richmond stations hmmmmm)

 

[Midwest]

Flipping heck, I wonder who else is going to say that, you cheeky monkey

 

[pirate]

Been dying to say that for ages, Pete!

 

[johnduffell]

This problem is nothing to do with electrical regs, that just dilutes things. Simple fact is it's your land, they have no right to use it.
Having said that if you want to find a middle ground to avoid devaluing your house for the future I'd push for a minimum 3.5m tall permanent post on their property to keep the cable out of harm's way. And a legal agreement giving them a licence to have it there, just to be sure they don't get the right to have it there.

 

[Squid]

This problem is nothing to do with electrical regs, that just dilutes things. Simple fact is it's your land, they have no right to use it.
Having said that if you want to find a middle ground to avoid devaluing your house for the future I'd push for a minimum 3.5m tall permanent post on their property to keep the cable out of harm's way. And a legal agreement giving them a licence to have it there, just to be sure they don't get the right to have it there.

Isn't it dependant on how long its been there?

The house I live in the previous owners waaaaaay back built a wall on their own land, my garden is now 6" wider 12 year rule and I had great pleasure in reminding one of the previous neighbours that it was his wall and not mine as who the hell wants to maintain an 80 foot brick wall that looks like it may fall down in the next 10 years.

 

[johnduffell]

Isn't it dependant on how long its been there

I guess a lawyer could answer, but i think that applies to boundary features because they exclude the rightful owner.
I'm pretty sure people can get lots of money from the electric dnos where wires cross their land without permission but are not service their property. And can get them moved.
However I'll let a lawyer answer!!

 

[brianmoooore]

I'd push for a minimum 3.5m tall permanent post on their property to keep the cable out of harm's way.

The requirement is for the MINIMUM height of the cable to be 3.5m, and for most spans, this will require the fixings to be higher than this - a cable will sag considerably in the middle of the span.
In my opinion, this should be the OP's opening gambit to address the problem. Having established that more work has to be done, they could then push for an alternative route to be considered.
Any chance that the original cable was in position before the property was split into flats?

 

[Octopus]

Think you need to back that up with a reg number ....

 

[Spoon]

Think you need to back that up with a reg number ....

Which part mate? There is the reg I quoted in post #10 about the min distance of 3.5 meters. Or am I misreading your post....

 

[Octopus]

708.521.1.2 Overhead distribution circuits
All overhead conductors shall be insulated.
Poles and other supports for overhead wiring shall be located or protected so that they are unlikely to be damaged
by any foreseeable vehicle movement.
Overhead conductors shall be at a height above ground of not less than 6 m in all areas subject to vehicle movement
and 3.5 m in all other areas.

Hum .............. Section 708

"Electrical Installations in Caravan / Camping Parks and Similar Locations"

So not applicable to back gardens IMHO

 

[Spoon]

Hum .............. Section 708

"Electrical Installations in Caravan / Camping Parks and Similar Locations"

So not applicable to back gardens IMHO

IMHO I would say the principle applies to gardens, as there doesn't seem to be a specific reg for gardens and other locations.

 

[Octopus]

IMHO I would say the principle applies to gardens, as there doesn't seem to be a specific reg for gardens and other locations.

I would disagree .............

3.5 meters is about 11' 6 " - so if you have a bungalow and a detached garage about 1 meter apart a 3.5 meter pole arrangement would look rather odd to say the least

Its a bit like the depth to bury swa cable ..................... all very open ended.

Very unsatisfactory

BS 7671 should, at the very least, offer suggestions

In respect to this thread, the height is irrelevant ......... a way-leave is required IMHO

 

[Spoon]

3.5 meters is about 11' 6 " - so if you have a bungalow and a detached garage about 1 meter apart a 3.5 meter pole arrangement would look rather odd to say the least

In this circumstance you would hope that the electrician would recommend burying the cable, unless the customer insists on having an ugly pole and cable going overhead.

 

[Octopus]

In this circumstance you would hope that the electrician would recommend burying the cable, unless the customer insists on having an ugly pole and cable going overhead.

In this case I would say burying it at a minimum of 600 mm is the only way forward.....

 

[elsparko]

In this case I would say burying it at a minimum of 600 mm is the only way forward.....

burn your neighbours shed down, problem solved.

Disclaimer: not legal advice

 

[Squid]

In this case I would say burying it at a minimum of 600 mm is the only way forward.....

How will the cable get to the dug out trench?

 

[elsparko]

How will the cable get to the dug out trench?

new plan, shed is being burnt down, no cable

 

[Squid]

Hopefully an electrical issue will cause your neighbours shed to burn down, problem solved.

Disclaimer: not legal advice

Fixed.....

 

[Octopus]

How will the cable get to the dug out trench?

Once the wayleave has been agreed, access etc .......................

 

[elsparko]

Fixed.....

ill have you know i was going to have a word with god to smite the shed

 

[Adam W]

How will the cable get to the dug out trench?

Via an ugly great big eyesore of a cable running down the OP's wall which she will then complain about and ask to be moved once the neighbour has paid for it.

 

[elsparko]

if anyone needs any messages passed on to the big man in the clouds let me know, i have a direct line to heaven

 

[Spoon]

Hum .............. Section 708

"Electrical Installations in Caravan / Camping Parks and Similar Locations"

So not applicable to back gardens IMHO

In this case I would say burying it at a minimum of 600 mm is the only way forward.....

First of all mate, I'm not getting at you in this post. It's more of an 'informative' post, cause I was curious myself.

You mention that the depth of the cable should be a min of 600mm.
I was curious where this was mentioned in the regs.

705.522. (i) - "Agricultural and Horticultural Premises" section
708.521.1.1 - "Electrical Installations in Caravan / Camping Parks and similar location" section

In 709.521.1.7 - "Marinas and Similar Locations" it does mention a depth of 0.5 m.

If I've missed one that is relevant to houses then I apologise, but I couldn't find one.

 

[Octopus]

^^ the case of swa depth is absent from the big book.

My guidance is above

Of course, bob the builder would do it at 6 inches max

 

[Spoon]

^^ the case of swa depth is absent from the big book.

My guidance is above

Of course, bob the builder would do it at 6 inches max

I think you will find that Paw Patrol is a better model to follow..
But you can't beat Mr Bull for digging.