OBLIVIOUS county residents returned home last week to find broadband engineers digging up their drive.

Mary Marshall, who has lived in Hope under Dinmore for 20 years, returned from shopping on June 13 to find part of her Cotswold stone drive had been dug up by workers installing fibre optic cables.

Mrs Marshall said her property was one of six affected in the village that had no prior knowledge that the work was going to be carried out.

What made matters worse, Mrs Marshall said, was that she does not have a computer so will not benefit from the new broadband connection.

“I came home from shopping at around 2pm last Wednesday to find engineers were digging up our drive,” she said.

“We weren’t even told that the work was taking place.

“None of the six properties here knew anything about the works but a couple of neighbours said of properties were sent letters two days ago after the works had been finished.

“They replaced part of our Cotswold Stone drive with dirt.

“I contacted the company that did the works and they said they would replace it as it was but they still haven’t done so.

“Worst of all I don’t have a computer so have no need for it.”

In a statement, a spokesman for the Fastershire Broadband Project, said the work taking place was linked to the deployment of fibre broadband that will make Herefordshire “one of the most fibre connected counties in the country”.

"To achieve this, understandably there will be some disruption and we apologise to residents who will be temporary inconvenienced," he added.

"Fastershire, and our delivery partner in this area, Gigaclear are aware of this matter and we regret that the work was not completed to the resident’s satisfaction.

"The installation of the new full fibre broadband network in the community took place on Wednesday 13 June and a letter explaining the process was sent in March.

"A site visit has taken place to assess the reinstatement work and we are working to find an acceptable solution.

"All installation and reinstatement work is undertaken in accordance with the relevant legislation, and we endeavour to complete this to satisfaction of all residents."

Herefordshire Council estimates that Fastershire will help to boost the local economy by £420 million over the next 10 years.