Utility companies. *sigh*

[dagibbs]

I came home to the bottom of my driveway (previously concrete, though slightly old) being fresh gravel. Slightly loose, nicely smoothed flat, fresh gravel. I came home by motorcycle to surprise gravel in my driveway. It was a slightly unnerving surprise. (Not damaging, just a bit unnerving.)

Apparently, my neighbours to the south (driveway side of my house) decided to have gas installed, and the piping to the meter and the meter went in on the side of their house facing mine, and my driveway. And, to install this, they had to, I guess, dig up part of my driveway. Joy.

I called Enbridge... they are required to restore to the original condition, and have a landscaping (???) firm that does this. It should be done within 21 business days. That is, I may have gravel until sometime after Labour day. (Or, well, it might be done early -- who knows?)

I just love that they can dig through my lot, my driveway, for something that doesn't benefit me, and without my permission or, as far as I can tell, even notifying me that they're gonna do it. It's not like they're the government or something.

Comments

[renniekins.livejournal.com]

On the plus side... free new driveway!

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

If they do so, yup. I'm hoping it won't be a long fight to get a (partial) new driveway.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Easements are strange and mysterious things. But hey, at least you aren't getting fined for collecting the rainwater that falls on your property! (Colorado is changing this though, and Utah and Washington are setting up permits.)

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Water rights are strange and mysterious things that make some people VERY angry.

[con-girl.livejournal.com]

They do probably have to give notice. Is there an easement?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Not that I knew of -- or, at least, not that I remember knowing of.

It is, also, possible they gave notice but that it didn't get to me, as I'm not home a lot.

[clinkerfiasco.livejournal.com]

The only notice I remember us getting was with regards to the trees getting trimmed. I haven't seen anything from the gas company.

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I remember the trimming notice, too.

[con-girl.livejournal.com]

I think you should write a letter making sure that
1.they understand that gravel is not to the original condition
2.that you can not use the driveway as is - with a motorcycle, gravel is not an acceptable substitute, even temporarily
3. asking how are they going to schedule the fix? how will they notify you?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

I told them that over the phone -- they said it would be done with 21 business days. I'm willing to give them that time, though not happy about it.