Couple’s four-year wait for a good reception

8:10am Friday 1st August 2008

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AN ELDERLY couple are desperate to get rid of a large tree which has been disrupting their television reception for four years.

Tom Miles, 79, and his wife Dorothy, 78, are both disabled and say their TV is the one thing that brings them joy, but an overgrown tree continues to block their signal.

The couple of Gasgoine Way, Billericay, have even invested in a Sky satellite dish, but that has been moved three times because of the tree and is currently on a pole in their back garden.

Mr Miles said he is prepared to spend £500 chopping down the tree.

He said: “For 20 years the council came round and trimmed it back, but four years ago they stopped and we haven’t been able to get a good TV signal since.

“The TV is our one thing. We can’t go out and we our both each others carer.

“We have a radio, but there is not a lot on that.”

The couple have lived in the house for 42 years and Mr Miles says their neighbours have also experienced problems.

He added: “My neighbour forked out £300 to get her terrestrial aerial moved and also has had to move her satellite dish.

“I’ve had to move my satellite dish three times, at £65 a go.”

Chris Johnson, spokesman for Basildon Council, said Mr Miles had contacted them about the tree, but after further investigation they found it belonged to Waltham Forest Council.

He said: “Lots of London authorities bought land in Essex after the war. Mr Miles needs to speak to them about it.”