A FURIOUS homeowner is seeking compensation after contractors burnt his hedge while doing roadworks.

Chris Arter, 68, has lived on Stanley Road, Halstead, for 23 years.

He has tended to his home’s hedge, which has been there for more than 40 years, since the day he moved in.

Mr Arter says he was “horrified” after finding the length of the hedge had been scorched.

A perfect stripe had been burnt into the hedge by a hot exhaust after broadband contractors dug and filled in a trench on the pavement.

Gazette: The incident in May left a long stripe burnt into Chris Arter's hedgeThe incident in May left a long stripe burnt into Chris Arter's hedge

Contractors LTraffic, working on behalf of Gigaclear, were installing fibre-optic broadband cables on Stanley Road.

Mr Arter says it wasn’t until the workers had left that he noticed the damage.

He said no-one approached him to say sorry and the hedge is now dying in places.

After contacting Gigaclear and LTraffic, Mr Arter is seeking compensation for the damage.

He said: “It’s a lovely hedge. I just went out to see what kind of mess they’d left and I was horrified.

“They made a right mess of it and they didn’t even have the decency to come round.

“It has gone past ‘sorry’ now. Ultimately it is their responsibility – they hired the contractors.”

“I think it is a case of the big faceless company Gigaclear just ignoring the complaints and they will go away.”

Gazette: Chris Arter is still tending to and repairing the hedge which had died in some places two months onChris Arter is still tending to and repairing the hedge which had died in some places two months on

Gigaclear says it is currently working to resolve the situation.

Regional general manager Tony Smith said: “Gigaclear has been working hard to bring ultrafast full-fibre broadband to several homes and businesses in the Halstead area, to enable the community to benefit from fast, reliable broadband speeds.

“Delivering and installing this infrastructure is an enormous undertaking, which can sometimes be disruptive.

“Unfortunately, on this occasion, the machinery used by our contractors to dig and reinstate the pavement on Stanley Road accidentally damaged a hedge.

“We have contacted the resident to apologise and are currently in discussions with him regarding a resolution.”