NEW BT POLE IN THE WAY

[Exfarmer]

Highway have right of access to install utilities in first metre and half of verge on most roads Agree they don’t own it but they can put in services

They have absolutely no right to give permission to anyone to install anything , outside the stated highway width.
They also have no right to allow anyone to install in the soil or anything to Obstruct passage on the verge

 

[Matt L]

Highway width usually exceeds the metalled surface though.

 

[Exfarmer]

Highway width usually exceeds the metalled surface though.

You are quite right in many cases, however in many country lanes , the metalled surface often exceeds the width. I can take you to one locally here where I know that for a fact, as it was my land at the time.
There was a general presumption that highways and utilities were working for the common good and it was rare for complaints to be made about encursions, especially where the highway or pole improved access or power/communications to come to your farm. However this does not give the utilities or highways carte blanche to do as they please. A few years ago Norfolk CC found that to their cost extremely dear. Not my case I add where I ignored the fact that after roadworks my headline tramline meant I was now spraying 3 feet of road after losing 6 feet of verge and field .
I even had complaint from a newcomer about ploughing every last inch!