Twas ever thus, I'm afraid. I'm not saying you should put up with it, you shouldnt. Make as much noise as you can and I hope it gets some sort of results. However, I wouldnt expect quick progress.
Its not right and accom like this was one of the motivators behind my PVR in 99. Not much the Staish can do about it. The blame lies much much further up the chain than that. And those that made the decision are now in the House Of Lords and couldnt give a flying one any more now than they did do then.