- Most telegraph poles carrying telephone and broadband lines are owned by Openreach and are part of its regulated access network overseen by Ofcom.
- A working pole that still serves nearby properties will not normally be removed, because doing so would disconnect those customers; removal is more feasible where an alternative route exists.
- Openreach operates a published process for requesting changes to its network assets, and a removal request is assessed on engineering, safety and cost grounds.
- Where a pole sits on private land under the Electronic Communications Code, removal is governed by the Code's removal procedure in Schedule 3A to the Communications Act 2003.
- A requester seeking removal for preference or development reasons is frequently expected to meet or contribute to the cost of providing an alternative route.
Telegraph poles are usually Openreach assets. Removal is possible where an alternative route exists or there is a genuine safety case, but a working pole serving homes is rarely removed and the requester often bears the cost.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Who owns the telegraph pole and why it matters
Before requesting removal it helps to confirm who owns the pole, because that determines who you ask and what rules apply. In the UK the great majority of telegraph poles carrying telephone and broadband lines are Openreach assets, part of the access network that Ofcom regulates. A smaller number belong to alternative full-fibre operators that have built or shared poles. Poles carrying mains electricity are a separate estate owned by the regional Distribution Network Operator and are outside the scope of a telecoms removal request.
Ownership matters because Openreach maintains these poles as live infrastructure connecting real customers. A single pole often carries drop wires to several homes. Removing it is not just a cosmetic exercise; it can sever service to neighbours unless an alternative route is provided first. That engineering reality, rather than any reluctance to help, is the main reason removal requests are assessed carefully and sometimes declined.
Confirming ownership in practice is usually straightforward. Most Openreach poles carry a numbered identification plate, and that number lets the operator locate the exact asset in its records when you make contact. If the pole has no telecoms plate but carries thick cables and a transformer, it is far more likely to be an electricity asset belonging to the Distribution Network Operator, which has its own separate process and is not reachable through a telecoms request. Establishing this at the outset saves weeks of contacting the wrong organisation, and it also clarifies which legal framework applies, since the rules that govern an Openreach pole on private land differ from those covering an electricity pole.
When you can request a telegraph pole removal
Removal becomes realistic in a few defined situations. The clearest is where an alternative route already exists or can be created, for example where lines could be rerouted through existing underground duct, so the pole becomes redundant. A second is a genuine safety risk: a pole that is dangerously sited, repeatedly struck, or obstructing safe access may justify relocation. A third arises in development, where a landowner needs the pole moved to enable construction that cannot reasonably proceed around it.
By contrast, a request based purely on appearance, on a view being partially blocked, or on a general dislike of the pole is much less likely to succeed while the pole remains in active use. Even then it is worth asking, because Openreach assesses each case on its facts. The key questions the operator will weigh are whether the pole is still needed, whether an alternative route is feasible, what it would cost, and who would pay.
It is worth being realistic about how rerouting actually works, because that is what most genuine removals depend on. If a pole only exists to carry overhead drop wires to two or three houses, and those houses could instead be fed from a nearby pole or from underground duct that already runs past the boundary, removal is a real possibility. If, however, the pole is a junction point carrying lines onward to many further properties, taking it away would require an extensive rebuild of that section of network, and the case weakens accordingly. A requester who can point to an obvious alternative route, such as existing ductwork or a neighbouring pole within easy span, gives the surveyor a concrete option to assess rather than an open-ended problem.
The telegraph pole removal request process
The table sets out the typical steps in a removal request. It describes the general mechanism Openreach and the Code provide rather than promising any particular result or timescale, both of which depend on the specifics of the site and the network.
| Step | What happens | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Submit request | Contact Openreach via its network alteration route | Provide exact location and reason |
| Survey | Engineer assesses the pole and the network it serves | Is the pole still in use? |
| Feasibility | Whether an alternative route exists or can be built | Duct availability and digging |
| Quotation | Requester told the likely cost contribution | Who pays for the works |
| Works or refusal | Removal proceeds, or the request is declined with reasons | Code procedure if on private land |
The quotation step often surprises requesters. Because Openreach did not choose to move a working asset, the party seeking removal is frequently asked to fund or contribute to the alternative route, which can be significant if new duct must be dug. Underground rerouting in particular can involve excavation, reinstatement of pavement or road surface, and traffic management permits where works affect the public highway, all of which add cost and time beyond the pole itself. Understanding this early helps requesters weigh whether removal is worth pursuing or whether relocation a short distance away is a cheaper compromise.
How to apply for removal
The starting point is to contact Openreach through its network-alteration or service-enquiry route rather than through your communications provider, since the provider handles your service contract, not the physical estate. Supply the precise location, ideally with the pole's numbered plate, a clear statement of why you want it removed, and any supporting evidence such as planning documents if a development is involved. Photographs and a sketch of where you would prefer any replacement route to run can also help the surveyor.
Where the pole stands on private land that you own, the Electronic Communications Code may govern the position, and the Code's removal procedure can come into play if Openreach does not agree to remove voluntarily. That procedure involves giving notice and potentially applying to the Upper Tribunal, which balances your case against the public interest in the network. Because the valuation and procedural rules are technical, landowners with a development or safety case often benefit from professional advice from a surveyor or solicitor familiar with the Code.
Setting expectations on cost and time before you apply will make the conversation more productive. A removal that simply needs a redundant pole taken down is a very different proposition from one that requires a new underground route to be designed, consented and dug, and the operator's response will reflect that. Gathering the evidence that supports your specific case, whether that is a planning consent, photographs of damage or obstruction, or proof that an alternative route already exists, gives the surveyor what they need to reach a decision rather than asking for further information and lengthening the process.
What if Openreach refuses
A refusal usually rests on the pole still being in active use with no practical alternative route, or on the cost of providing one being disproportionate. If you disagree, ask Openreach for the specific engineering and cost reasons in writing so you understand the basis. Sometimes a refusal to remove can become a willingness to relocate the pole a short distance, which may resolve a development obstruction or safety concern at lower cost.
Where the pole is on your own land and held under the Code, the Code's removal provisions give a formal route through the Upper Tribunal if negotiation fails, though this is a considered legal step rather than a quick fix. For poles in the public highway or on a neighbour's land, your options are more limited and centre on persuading the operator of a genuine safety or feasibility case. In all cases, keeping a clear written record of your request, the reasons and the operator's response puts you in the strongest position to escalate appropriately.
New poles and objecting before installation
Removal is hardest once a pole is in the ground and carrying live service, so the strongest moment to influence a pole is often before it is installed. Where operators are building new full-fibre networks, they may install new poles using permitted development rights, but those rights come with notification and consultation expectations, and a resident who learns of a planned pole can raise concerns with the operator and the local authority while the siting is still being decided. Engaging early, suggesting an alternative position, or asking whether an existing route could be used can change an outcome that would be far harder to reverse later.
If the objection is about a pole that already exists but is causing a specific problem, the same evidence-led approach applies as for removal: document the obstruction, damage or safety issue, identify any practical alternative, and put the case to the operator in writing. While appearance alone rarely moves a working asset, a well-evidenced safety or access argument, or a feasible rerouting option that the requester is willing to help fund, gives the operator a basis on which it can act within its engineering and regulatory obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a telegraph pole removed?
You can request removal, but success depends on whether the pole is still in use and whether an alternative route exists. A working pole serving nearby homes is rarely removed because that would disconnect customers unless lines are first rerouted. Requests are stronger where there is redundancy, a genuine safety risk, or a development that cannot proceed around the pole, and where the requester can point to a feasible alternative route.
Who do I contact to request a telegraph pole removal?
Contact Openreach, which owns most UK telegraph poles, through its network-alteration or service-enquiry route. Your own communications provider deals with your service contract rather than the physical pole, so it is not the right first contact for removal. Provide the exact location, the pole number from its plate if visible, and your reason for the request.
How long does telegraph pole removal take?
There is no single fixed timescale. The process moves through survey, feasibility, quotation and then works, and the duration depends on whether an alternative route already exists or new duct must be dug, and on any traffic management or permits required. Openreach assesses each case individually rather than publishing a uniform timeframe.
What if Openreach refuses to remove a telegraph pole?
Ask for the engineering and cost reasons in writing so you understand the basis for the decision. Refusal often reflects the pole still being in use with no viable alternative route. Where the pole is on your own land under the Electronic Communications Code, the Code's removal procedure offers a formal route through the Upper Tribunal if negotiation fails, though that is a considered legal step rather than a quick fix.
Who owns telegraph poles in the UK?
The large majority of telegraph poles carrying telephone and broadband lines are owned by Openreach, the access-network operator regulated by Ofcom. Some belong to alternative full-fibre operators. Poles carrying mains electricity are owned separately by the regional Distribution Network Operator and fall outside a telecoms removal request.
