On 07/09/2012 23:40, John Williamson wrote:

If his house is like mine (1930s ex-council), the incoming mains cable
runs along the end of the 4 house terrace, then along the back wall,
branching off to each hosue as it goes.

That's typical for LA housing long before the Right To Buy legislation.
Ofc, it causes all sorts of issues now, but at the time it seemed
perfectly reasonable and economical.