PHONELINES have been cut and internet connectivity severed after a crash in Grays in the early hours of Monday (Monday, 5 April).

Two vehicles were involved in a collision which demolished a telecoms unit and power box at the side of Hogg Lane, just where it meets Orsett Road, near Morrisons. The incident happened just after midnight.

Local residents and businesses have been hit by the disruption to service. A sign at the scene says it may not be until 12 April until repairs take place.

An angry local businessman, Matt Attwood, said: "It has taken out phone lines and internet for hundreds of businesses and residences. Apparently BT aren't starting to repair until Friday!

"As an IT person I suspect it will take quite some days to repair as all the cable have been ripped out of the ground.

"It's an absolute nightmare for my business and we have had to install mobile data dongles to get our phones and computers online, as have other businesses we know of.

"Apparently Morrison's cannot take card payments as their connection has gone. It appears to have affected homes as far away as half a mile."