Couple of updates.
1 - Using the RIPE database I contacted a NTL senior tech directly bypassing all the obstacles
and mentioned my cogent routing issue as well as asking why NTL didnt reroute around level3 when it dropped earlier today, I asked if they using static routes rather then dynamic.
He didnt even comment on the level3 issue but did his own checks on cogent and as it was fine at the time he said to me he see's no problem in the continuation of using it and wont set me a exception rule. Bad answer for me but at least I know how much I am valued and have spoken with someone directly now which is progress, although it was a shame I had to use my own means to get the message to the relevant person and he wasn't happy a customer contacted him
told me to use tech support next time.
2 - The contact us form on the ntl site has sent me a message back bounced saying it is undeliverable, not surprising considering the form is 2 years out of date and seems to have recieved no attention for a long time.