A BUSY South Lakeland haulage firm is 'losing business' after a telegraph pole was damaged more than a week ago.

JT Leyland in Milnthorpe began experiencing problems after a car crashed into the pole - since then, the business has not had full phone or internet access.

"They (BT) said it would be a week before it would be repaired," Stuart Duncan, the general manager of JT Leyland said. "Nobody has been to see us at all.

"In the office we have six people and six lines and all we can work on at the moment is a mobile phone."

Mr Duncan said that he has not been able to get in touch with anybody from BT to get an update and he is sure that the problem is affecting the business and others nearby.

"I went to talk to three garages near us and they are all in the same position," he said. "All they (BT) need to do is replace the pole which is not a major job and reconnect the wires.

"I do not know how much business has been lost but it's definitely some. A lot of of customers rely on us to ship their goods. The regular customers are aware of the situation but those who do not know us and might be thinking of using us, do not."

A maroon Peugeot 307 was in collision with the telegraph pole on Crooklands Road on September 12. It was being driven by a 66-year-old female who sustained minor injuries.

Clint Davis, the owner of Station Garage and Main Line MOT Centre, said that the problem had been affecting his business, too.

"Our business relies on the internet," he said. "I've been ringing BT every day since it happened."

A spokesperson from BT said that the delay was due to the location of the pole and permissions needed to put up a new one.

“Due to the damage caused to the telegraph pole, Openreach needs to put up a new one," the spokesperson said. "Unfortunately the location of the pole is on top of a high pressure gas pipe so we are waiting for permission from the gas company to dig there and put up the new pole. Hopefully we will be able to start the work soon and restore services. We apologise for any convenience this has caused to our customers.”