I've just had a response to my 'feedback' that I sent Ntl, asking for me to provide traceroute's etc to them so that they could investigate further just exactly what/when the problems are appearing...
Luckily for them, I've provided them with my saved ones from both my connection and from LINX where I used the looking glass tools.. ;-)
So, IMHO I'll give Ntl 9/10 for their resolution of the problem, if they fix it they can have a 10
They were also pointed across here so that they can have a looksee at whats been going on