Basically, a couple needed a pole moving, but were told it would cost
£5k.

They discovered there wasn`t a wayleave in force, and are getting it
moved it for free.

Same thing happened to me with MEB.

They quoted me *much* more than £5K. I invited them around to discuss it.
Discovered that the wayleave had expired and pointed it out.
"Ahah" said the Wayleave Manager, "If you cash the annual rental check, then
that means that you are extending the wayleave for another year."
"Ahah" said I, "I haven't cashed the last two cheques..."

His attitude changed instantly. We agreed that if I dug the trench (approx
75meters) then they would resite a transformer, bury the cables and remove
two poles.

In the end, they used a mole and did the whole lot for free.

Once through the red tape at the beginning, everybody turned out to be
really accommodating, reasonable chaps.

This was 5 years ago though...

Colin