RESIDENTS who have been without signal for weeks are urging network provider EE to solve the issue as soon as possible.

As previously reported, SO20 residents have been experiencing poor signal since September 20, after a traffic accident knocked out the pylon which provides the signal for much of the area.

Residents in King’s Somborne and Stockbridge complained about the service but the Advertiser understands they were told the issue would not be solved until December.

EE has not confirmed when the issue is expected to be fixed.

But the company is urged to take action as soon as possible.

Clare Gray, 45, bar owner, from King’s Somborne, said: “I am fuming at the lack of communication and updates. It is disgusting that multi billion pound companies are potentially going to take weeks or months to resolve this.Myself and partner own The Starlite Bar which is a fully licensed mobile event bar. We started this business only a few weeks ago, but because of the lack of phone signal in the area we have potentially already lost a lot of business due to potential clients not being able to contact us.”

Concerns have also been raised by the local authorities.

Councillors at King’s Somborne Parish Council said the delay is ‘unacceptable’.

In an official statement they said: “Councillors are very unhappy and extremely concerned at the impact the slow response from EE is having on many people in the area. With the increasing numbers of people using mobile phones instead of land lines for both business and personal matters this is an unacceptable delay generating potential problems for hundreds of people. EE should really show more respect for its customers and get things moving more speedily.”

Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, has called on EE to make restoring the service their absolute priority.

She said: “I am appalled by the slow response and lengthy delays in repairing this problem. I appreciate the catastrophic damage to the mast in King’s Somborne was not their fault, however given the increasing number of residents using mobile phones instead of landlines there are genuine welfare issues which are potentially affecting thousands of people covering an area of up to 25% of my constituency.”

An EE spokesperson said, “We’re working to repair the damage as quickly as possible and we apologise for the inconvenience during this time.”