An MP has said his constituents being left without the internet for the third day running was “disgraceful”.

A suspected accident by contractors carrying out sewer repair work has resulted in an internet and phone line blackout for about 3,000 customers in Maghull, Merseyside.

Broadband provider Openreach said workers carrying out sewer excavation work on Hall Lane, Maghull, caused “significant damage” to part of its underground network.

However, Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central, said Openreach’s “approach to this is not good enough”.

The MP added: “It is really serious to be without the internet in modern society.

“Normally these problems get fixed within a few hours not days.”

Openreach had said if everything goes to plan, connectivity should be back up and running by early Saturday evening.

Businesses and residents in the area have been without internet or landlines since about 13:00 BST on Thursday.

Joy Sinnott, who works at Meadows Pharmacy on Liverpool Road South near the excavation site, said the issue had caused “chaos”.

Since then, the business had had to cope without a phone line, one working computer and no card payment machines.

“It is crazy just how much everything depends on the internet,” Sinnott said.

Openreach said engineers had worked through the night to assess the damage and begin repairs.

It said: “Several cables have been severely affected and the excavation site must be made safe as it’s currently unstable.

“Some people in the area are experiencing a loss of phone and broadband. We know how important these connections are and we’re very sorry for this disruption.

“We’re working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service.”

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