Explanatory note

The Secretary of State granted to Telewest Communications (Southport) Limited a licence on 19th December 1996 under section 7 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 to run the telecommunication systems specified in that Licence in the whole of the local authority areas of Sefton, West Lancashire, South Ribble and Chorley, other than those parts of the area covered by the existing Central Lancashire and North Liverpool and Sefton cable franchises. A copy of the licence was laid before Parliament on 6th February 1997. This Order designates those telecommunication systems as public telecommunication systems. Consequently, by virtue of section 9(3) of that Act, Telewest Communications (Southport) Limited will be a public telecommunications operator when the Order comes into force on 7th March 1997.

A copy of the licence may be obtained from the Office of Telecommunications, 50 Ludgate Hill, London, EC4M 7JJ.