Document:

EXHIBIT 4.40
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                   THE TELEWEST 2000 ALL EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEME

                               DATE ADOPTED: 2000

                            INLAND REVENUE REFERENCE:
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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART 1: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................1

1.       Definitions And Interpretation......................................................................1

2.       All-Employee Nature of Scheme.......................................................................2

3.       Eligibility.........................................................................................2

4.       Limits..............................................................................................3

5.       Issue of Shares.....................................................................................4

6.       Alterations And Additions...........................................................................4

7.       Miscellaneous.......................................................................................4

PART 2: FREE SHARES..........................................................................................6

8.       Maximum Annual Award................................................................................6

9.       Participation On The Same Terms.....................................................................6

10.      Performance Allowances: General.....................................................................6

11.      Performance Allowances: Method One..................................................................7

12.      Performance Allowances: Method Two..................................................................8

13.      The Holding Period..................................................................................8

PART 3: PARTNERSHIP SHARES..................................................................................10

14.      Partnership Share Agreements.......................................................................10

15.      Partnership Share Money Held For Participant.......................................................11

16.      No Accumulation Period.............................................................................11

17.      Scheme With Accumulation Period....................................................................12

18.      Application Of Money Deducted In Accumulation Period...............................................12

19.      Restriction Imposed On Number Of Shares Awarded....................................................13

20.      Stopping And Re-Starting Deductions................................................................13

21.      Withdrawal From Partnership Share Agreement........................................................14

22.      Repayment Of Partnership Share Money On Withdrawal Of Scheme Approval Or Termination Of
         Scheme.............................................................................................14

23.      Access To Partnership Shares.......................................................................14

24.      Meaning Of "Salary"................................................................................14

PART 4: MATCHING SHARES.....................................................................................15

25.      General Requirements For Matching Shares...........................................................15

26.      Ratio Of Matching Shares To Partnership Shares.....................................................15

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                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                   (continued)

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27.      Application Of Provisions Relating To Holding Period Etc...........................................15

PART 5: REINVESTMENTS OF CASH DIVIDENDS.....................................................................16

28.      Reinvestment.......................................................................................16

29.      Limit On Amount Reinvested.........................................................................16

30.      General Requirements For Dividend Shares...........................................................16

31.      Acquisition Of Dividend Shares.....................................................................17

32.      Holding Period For Dividend Shares.................................................................17

33.      Certain Amounts Not Reinvested To Be Carried Forward...............................................17

PART 6: PROVISION FOR FORFEITURE............................................................................18

34.      Permitted Restrictions: Provision For Forfeiture...................................................18

PART 7: TRUSTEES............................................................................................19

35.      Duties Of Trustees.................................................................................19

36.      Meeting Paye Obligations...........................................................................19
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                   THE TELEWEST 2000 ALL EMPLOYEE SHARE SCHEME

                                     PART 1

                              GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.       DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1      In this Scheme, unless the context otherwise requires:-

         "Accounting Period" means a period in respect of which the profit and
         loss account and balance sheet of the Company are required to be made
         up pursuant to section 277 of the Companies Act 1985;

         "the Board" means the board of directors of the Company or a committee
         appointed by them;

         "the Company" means Telewest Communications plc (registered in England
         and Wales No. 2983307);

         "Free Shares" means shares to be appropriated to Participants without
         payment;

         "the London Stock Exchange" means London Stock Exchange Limited;

         "Matching Shares" means shares to be appropriated to Participants
         without payment in proportion to the Partnership Shares acquired by
         them;

         "Participant" means an individual to whom Free Shares or Matching
         Shares have been appropriated, or on whose behalf Partnership Shares
         have been acquired, under the Scheme;

         "Participating Company" means the Company or any Subsidiary to which
         the Board has resolved that this Scheme shall for the time being
         extended;

         "Partnership Shares" means shares to be acquired on behalf of
         Participants out of sums deducted from their salary;

         "Schedule 8" means Schedule 8 to the Finance Act 2000;

         "Subsidiary" means a body corporate which is a subsidiary of the
         Company (within the meaning of section 736 of the Companies Act 1985)
         and of which the Company has control (within the meaning of section 840
         of the Taxes Act 1988);

         "the Taxes Act 1988" means the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988;

         "the Trust Deed" means the trust instrument intended to be made
         following the adoption of this Scheme by the Company in connection with
         the operation of this Scheme;

         "the Trustees" means the trustees or trustee for the time being of the
         Trust Deed;

         and expressions not otherwise defined herein have the same meanings as
         they have in Schedule 8 to the Finance Act 2000.

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1.2      Any reference in this Scheme to shares shall be a reference to shares
         that satisfy paragraphs 59 to 67 inclusive of Schedule 8 and any
         reference in this Scheme to Scheme shares shall be construed in
         accordance with the definition of "plan shares" in paragraph 130 (1) of
         Schedule 8.

1.3      Any reference in this Scheme to any enactment includes a reference to
         that enactment as from time to time modified, extended or re-enacted.

1.4      Expressions in italics are for guidance only and do not form part of
         this Scheme.

2.       ALL-EMPLOYEE NATURE OF SCHEME

2.1      Every employee of a Participating Company who -

         2.1.1    meets the requirements mentioned in Rule 3 below, and

         2.1.2    is chargeable to tax under Case I of Schedule E in respect of
                  the employment by reference to which he satisfies the
                  condition in Rule 3 below,

         shall be invited to participate in this Scheme.

2.2      Subject to Rules 9.2 and 11.2 every employee who is invited to
         participate in this Scheme shall be invited to participate on the same
         terms and those who do participate shall do so on the same terms.

2.3      Participating Companies shall not be selected so that the Scheme has or
         is likely to have the effect of conferring benefits wholly or mainly:

         2.3.1    on directors; or

         2.3.2    on employees receiving higher levels of remuneration.

3.       ELIGIBILITY

3.1      Subject to Rule 3.4 below, an individual may only participate in an
         award of shares under this Scheme if (and only if):-

         3.1.1    he is at the relevant time an employee of a Participating
                  Company and he satisfies the conditions specified in Rule 3.2
                  below, or

         3.1.2    he is at the relevant time an employee of a Participating
                  Company and is nominated by the Board for this purpose.

3.2      The conditions referred to in Rule 3.1.1 above are that the individual:

         3.2.1    shall at all times during the qualifying period have been an
                  employee of a Participating Company, and

         3.2.2    was at the relevant time chargeable to tax in respect of his
                  employment under Case I of Schedule E.

3.3      For the purposes of Rule 3.2 above:-

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         3.3.1    the relevant time is, in the case of Free Shares, the time
                  such shares are appropriated and, in the case of Matching
                  Shares or Partnership Shares, the time the partnership share
                  money relating to such shares is deducted or first deducted
                  (and, in the case of Matching Shares, the deduction of
                  partnership share money "relating" to such shares is the
                  deduction relating to the Partnership Shares to which the
                  Matching Shares relate);

         3.3.2    the qualifying period is the period of [18 months] ending at
                  the relevant time, or such other period ending at the relevant
                  time as the Board may determine which satisfies the
                  requirements of paragraph 14 of Schedule 8.

         3.3.3    Chapter I of Part XIV of the Employment Rights Act 1996 shall
                  have effect, with any necessary changes, for ascertaining the
                  length of the period during which an individual shall have
                  been an employee and whether he shall be an employee at all
                  times during the period.

3.4      An individual shall not be eligible to have Free Shares or Matching
         Shares appropriated to him or to acquire Partnership Shares at any time
         if:

         3.4.1    he is at that time ineligible to have shares so appropriated
                  to him by virtue of paragraph 15 of Schedule 8 (the "no
                  material interest" requirement) or paragraph 16 of Schedule 8
                  (the requirement of non-participation in other relevant share
                  schemes);

         3.4.2    he has been given notice of dismissal for misconduct from the
                  employment by virtue of which he would but for this Rule be
                  eligible to participate in this Scheme (or has given notice of
                  resignation from such employment in order to avoid such
                  dismissal).

4.       LIMITS

4.1      No shares shall be issued to the Trustees under this Scheme in the
         period of 5 calendar years beginning with the year 2000 or any
         successive period of 5 years which would, at the time they are issued,
         cause the aggregate of:

         4.1.1    the number of shares issued under this Scheme in that period,
                  and

         4.1.2    the number of shares in the Company which shall have been or
                  may be issued in pursuance of options granted in that period,
                  or shall have been issued in that period otherwise than in
                  pursuance of options, under any other employees' share scheme
                  adopted by the Company,

         to exceed such number as represents 5 per cent. of the ordinary share
         capital of the Company in issue at that time.

4.2      No shares shall be issued to the Trustees under this Scheme in any year
         which would, at the time they are issued, cause the aggregate of:-

         4.2.1    the number of shares issued under this Scheme in the period of
                  10 calendar years ending with that year, and

         4.2.2    the number of shares in the Company which shall have been or
                  may be issued in pursuance of options granted in that period,
                  or shall have been issued in that

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                  period otherwise than in pursuance of options, under any other
                  employees' share scheme adopted by the Company,

         to exceed such number as represents 10 per cent. of the ordinary share
         capital of the Company in issue at that time.

5.       ISSUE OF SHARES

5.1      Subject to Rule 4, the price at which shares in the Company may be
         issued under this Scheme shall, if shares of the same class are quoted
         in the London Stock Exchange Daily Official List, be not less than the
         middle-market quotation of shares of that class (as derived from that
         List) on a dealing day falling within the period of 14 days ending with
         the date on which the shares are issued, but not falling before the
         dealing day next following the date of announcement by the Company of
         its final results for the Accounting Period in question.

5.2      All shares allotted under this Scheme shall rank equally in all
         respects with shares of the same class then in issue except for any
         rights attaching to such shares by reference to a record date prior to
         the date of the allotment.

6.       ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS

6.1      Subject to Rule 6.2 below, the Board may at any time alter this Scheme
         in any respect (having regard to the fact that, if such an alteration
         is made at a time when this Scheme is approved by the Inland Revenue
         under Schedule 8, the approval will not thereafter have effect unless
         the Inland Revenue have previously approved the alteration).

6.2      Subject to Rule 6.3 below, no alteration to the advantage of the
         persons who may participate or are participating in this Scheme shall
         be made under Rule 6.1 above to Rules 3 or 4 without the prior approval
         by ordinary resolution of the members of the Company in general
         meeting.

6.3      Rule 6.2 above shall not apply to any minor alteration to benefit the
         administration of this Scheme, to take account of a change in
         legislation or to obtain or maintain favourable tax, exchange control
         or regulatory treatment for Participants, any Participating Company or
         the Trustees.

7.       MISCELLANEOUS

7.1      The rights and obligations of any individual under the terms of his
         employment with the Company or a Subsidiary shall not be affected by
         his participation in this Scheme or any right which he may have to
         participate in it, and an individual who participates in it shall waive
         all and any rights to compensation or damages in consequence of the
         termination of his employment for any reason whatsoever insofar as
         those rights arise or may arise from his ceasing to have rights under
         this Scheme as a result of such termination.

7.2      Except where required by law, no money or money's worth received by any
         individual under this Scheme shall form part of his remuneration for
         any purpose whatsoever.

7.3      In the event of any dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation of
         this Scheme, or as to any question or right arising from or related to
         this Scheme, the decision of the Board shall be final and binding upon
         all persons.

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7.4      Any notice or other communication under or in connection with this
         Scheme may be given by personal delivery or by sending the same by
         post, in the case of a company to its registered office, and in the
         case of an individual to his last known address, or, where he is an
         employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, either to his last known
         address or to the address of the place of business at which he performs
         the whole or substantially the whole of the duties of his employment.

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                                     PART 2

                                   FREE SHARES

8.       MAXIMUM ANNUAL AWARD

8.1      The initial market value of the Free Shares awarded to a Participant in
         any tax year must not exceed (pound)3,000 or such other limit as may be
         permitted by Schedule 8 from time to time and for this purpose:

         8.1.1    the "initial market value" of shares means their market value
                  (as defined in paragraph 125 of Schedule 8) on the date on
                  which they are appropriated; and

         8.1.2    the market value of shares subject to restrictions or risk of
                  forfeiture (within the meaning of paragraph 24(3) of Schedule
                  8) shall be determined as if there were no such restriction or
                  risk.

9.       PARTICIPATION ON THE SAME TERMS

9.1      Rule 2.2 (participation on the same terms) is infringed by the
         appropriation of Free Shares by reference to factors other than those
         mentioned in Rule 9.2:

9.2      Subject to Rule 9.3, Free Shares may be awarded by reference to an
         employee's:-

         9.2.1    remuneration;

         9.2.2    length of service; or

         9.2.3    hours worked

9.3      Where the awarding of Free Shares is by reference to more than one of
         the factors mentioned in Rule 9.2 then:-

         9.3.1    each factor shall give rise to a separate entitlement related
                  to the level of remuneration, length of service or (as the
                  case may be) hours worked; and

         9.3.2    the total entitlement shall be the sum of those separate
                  entitlements.

10.      PERFORMANCE ALLOWANCES: GENERAL

10.1     The Board may in its discretion determine that performance allowances
         shall apply to any award of Free Shares, that is for:-

         10.1.1   whether or not Free Shares will be awarded to an individual;
                  or

         10.1.2   the number or value of Free Shares awarded

         to be conditional on performance targets being met.

10.2     If performance allowances apply to an award of Free Shares such
         allowances shall apply to all qualifying employees in relation to that
         award.

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10.3     Performance measures and performance targets shall:

         10.3.1   be based on business results or other objective criteria, and

         10.3.2   be fair and objective measures of the performance of the units
                  to which they are or may be applied; and

         10.3.3   be set for performance units comprising one or more employees
                  (provided that an employee shall not be a member of more than
                  one performance unit).

10.4     If performance awards are to be made, the Company shall as soon as
         reasonably practicable:

         10.4.1   notify each employee participating in the award of the
                  performance measures which will be used to determine the
                  number or value of Free Shares awarded to him; and

         10.4.2   notify all qualifying employees of any Participating Company,
                  in general terms, of the performance measures to be used to
                  determine the number or value of Free Shares to be awarded to
                  each employee participating in the award.

         provided that the Company may exclude from such notice any information
         the disclosure of which the Company reasonably considers would
         prejudice commercial confidentiality.

10.5     If performance allowances apply to an award of Free Shares then the
         requirements of either Rule 11 or Rule 12 should be compiled with.

11.      PERFORMANCE ALLOWANCES: METHOD ONE

11.1     Subject to Rule 11.2 the following requirements shall be satisfied in
         relation to an award of Free Shares:

         11.1.1   at least 20% of the shares in the award shall be awarded
                  without reference to performance;

         11.1.2   the remaining shares shall be awarded by reference to
                  performance and;

         11.1.3   the highest number of shares within Rule 11.1.2 awarded to an
                  individual shall not be more than four times the highest
                  number of shares within Rule 11.1.1 awarded to an individual

         and if Free Shares of different classes are awarded, these requirements
         shall apply separately in relation to each class.

11.2     Rule 2.2 shall apply to shares awarded pursuant to Rule 11.1 as
         follows:

         11.2.1   Rule 2.2 shall apply to shares awarded pursuant to Rule 11.1.1
                  and these shares shall be treated as a separate award of
                  shares for these purposes;

         11.2.2   Rule 2.2 shall not apply to shares awarded pursuant to Rule
                  11.1.2.

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12.      PERFORMANCE ALLOWANCES: METHOD TWO

12.1     The following requirements shall be satisfied in relation to an award
         of Free Shares:

         12.1.1   some or all of the shares shall be awarded by reference to
                  performance; and

         12.1.2   the awarding of shares to qualifying employees who are members
                  of the same performance unit shall meet the requirements of
                  Rule 2.2 and, for these purposes, the Free Shares awarded in
                  respect of each performance unit are treated as a separate
                  award of Free Shares.

13.      THE HOLDING PERIOD

13.1     The Board shall in its discretion specify a period ("the holding
         period") during which a Participant is bound by contract with the
         Company:

         13.1.1   to permit his Free Shares to remain in the hands of the
                  Trustees, and

         13.1.2   not to assign, charge or otherwise dispose of his beneficial
                  interest in the Free Shares provided that the Participants
                  obligations with respect to the holding period (which are
                  subject to Rules 19.5 and 36 and paragraph 121(5) of Schedule
                  8) shall terminate if during the period he ceases to be in
                  relevant employment.

13.2     The holding period:

         13.2.1   must be a period of at least three years; but not more than
                  five years, beginning with the date on which the Free Shares
                  in question are awarded to the Participant; and

         13.2.2   must be the same in respect of all shares in the same award.

13.3     The Board may specify different holding periods from time to time
         provided that the Board may not increase the holding period specified
         in respect of Free Shares that have been awarded under the Scheme.

13.4     The Board shall notify each Participant to whom Free Shares are
         appropriated of the holding period applicable to those shares.

13.5     A Participant may during the holding period direct the Trustees:

         13.5.1   to accept an offer for any of his Free Shares ("the original
                  shares") if the acceptance or agreement will result in a new
                  holding being equated with the original shares for the
                  purposes of capital gains tax; or

         13.5.2   to accept an offer of a qualifying corporate bond within the
                  meaning of section 117 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act
                  1992 (whether alone or with other assets or cash or both) for
                  his Free Shares if the offer forms part of such a general
                  offer as is mentioned in Rule 13.5.3; or

         13.5.3   to accept an offer of cash, with or without other assets, for
                  his Free Shares if the offer forms part of a general offer
                  which is made to holders of shares of the same class as his or
                  of shares in the same company and which is made in the first
                  instance on a condition such that if it is satisfied the
                  person making the

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                  offer will have control of that company, within the meaning of
                  section 416 of the Taxes Act 1988; or

         13.5.4   to agree to a transaction affecting his Free Shares or such of
                  them as are of a particular class, if the transaction would be
                  entered into pursuant to a compromise, arrangement or scheme
                  applicable to or affecting:

                  (a)      all the ordinary share capital of the Company or, as
                           the case may be, all the shares of the class in
                           question; or

                  (b)      all the shares, or all the shares of the class in
                           question, which are held by a class of shareholders
                           identified otherwise than by reference to their
                           employment or their participation in a plan approved
                           under Schedule 8.

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                                     PART 3

                               PARTNERSHIP SHARES

14.      PARTNERSHIP SHARE AGREEMENTS

14.1     Qualifying employees shall enter into an agreement with the Company
         ("partnership share agreement") under which:

         14.1.1   the employee authorises the Company to deduct part of his
                  salary for the purchase of Partnership Shares; and

         14.1.2   the Company undertakes to arrange for Partnership Shares to be
                  awarded to the employee in accordance with the rules of this
                  Scheme

         and any reference to "salary" in Rule 14 shall be construed within the
         meaning of paragraph 48 of Schedule 8.

14.2     Each partnership share agreement will be given effect by deductions
         from the qualifying employee's salary and, for the purposes of this
         Scheme, any amounts so deducted are referred to as "partnership share
         money".

14.3     Subject to Rule 14.4, the partnership share agreement shall specify:

         14.3.1   what amounts are to be deducted; and

         14.3.2   at what intervals

         provided that such amounts and intervals may be varied with the consent
         of the Company and the Participant.

14.4     Subject to Rule 14.5, the amount of partnership share money deducted
         from a Participant's salary must not exceed:

         14.4.1   (pound)125 in any month (or such other maximum amount as may
                  for the time being be permitted by paragraph 36(l)(a) of
                  Schedule 8); or

         14.4.2   where the salary is not paid at monthly intervals, such amount
                  as bears to (pound)125 the same proportion as the pay interval
                  in question bears to one month (or such other maximum amount
                  as may for the time being be permitted by paragraph 36(l)(b)
                  of Schedule 8).

14.5     The amount of partnership share money deducted from a Participant's
         salary shall not exceed 10% of the Participant's salary, meaning:

         14.5.1   if there is no accumulation period (as provided in Rule 16
                  below), 10% of the salary payment from which the deduction is
                  made;

         14.5.2   if there is an accumulation period (as provided in Rule 17
                  below), 10% of the total of the salary payments made to the
                  Participant over that period.

14.6     The Board may set lower limits than those specified in Rules 14.4 and
         14.5.

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14.7     Any amount deducted in excess of that allowed by Rules 14.4 and 14.5
         above, or any lower limit set by the Board for the purposes of this
         Scheme pursuant to Rule 14.6, shall be paid over to the relevant
         employee as soon as practicable.

14.8     The Board may specify that the amount to be deducted in pursuance of a
         partnership share agreement in any month must not be less than a
         minimum amount (the minimum amount shall not be greater than (pound)10
         or such other minimum amount as may for the time being be permitted by
         paragraph 37(2) of Schedule 8).

14.9     The partnership share agreement shall contain a notice in a prescribed
         form containing prescribed information as to the possible effect of
         deductions on an employee's entitlement to social security benefits,
         statutory sick pay and statutory maternity pay and for these purposes
         "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations made by the Board of the
         Inland Revenue.

15.      PARTNERSHIP SHARE MONEY HELD FOR PARTICIPANT

15.1     Subject to Rules 16.4, 18.4 and 18.5 (obligations to pay money to
         employee) partnership share money shall be paid to the Trustees as soon
         as practicable and held by them on behalf of the Participant until such
         time as it is applied by them in acquiring Partnership Shares on the
         Participant's behalf.

15.2     References in this Scheme to the Trustees acquiring Partnership Shares
         on behalf of a Participant include their appropriating to a Participant
         shares already held by them.

15.3     The Trustees shall keep any money required to be held by them under
         this Scheme in an account (interest bearing or otherwise) with:

         15.3.1   an institution authorised under the Banking Act 1987;

         15.3.2   a building society; or

         15.3.3   a relevant European institution.

15.4     If the partnership share money held on behalf of a Participant is held
         in an interest bearing account, the Trustees shall account to the
         Participant for the interest.

16.      NO ACCUMULATION PERIOD

16.1     If the Company does not specify an accumulation period under Rule 17
         below, partnership share money must be applied by the Trustees in
         acquiring Partnership Shares on behalf of the Participant on the
         acquisition date.

16.2     For the purposes of this Rule 16, "the acquisition date" means the date
         set by the Trustees in relation to the award of Partnership Shares,
         being a date within 30 days after the last date on which the
         partnership share money to be applied in acquiring the shares was
         deducted.

16.3     The number of shares awarded to each Participant shall be determined in
         accordance with the market value (within the meaning of paragraph 125
         of Schedule 8) of the shares on the acquisition date.

16.4     Any surplus partnership share money remaining after the acquisition of
         shares by the Trustees:

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         16.4.1   may with the agreement of the Participant be carried forward
                  and added to the amount of the next deduction, and

         16.4.2   in any other case must be paid over to the Participant as soon
                  as practicable.

16.5     This Rule is subject to Rule 19 (restrictions imposed on number of
         shares awarded).

17.      SCHEME WITH ACCUMULATION PERIOD

17.1     The Board may specify an accumulation period not exceeding twelve
         months.

17.2     If the Board specifies an accumulation period under Rule 17.1 above:

         17.2.1   the partnership share agreement must specify when each
                  accumulation period begins and ends (the beginning of the
                  period being not later than the date on which the first
                  deduction is made); and

         17.2.2   the accumulation period which applies in relation to each
                  award of Partnership Shares must be the same for all
                  individuals who are eligible to participate in the award.

17.3     Subject to Rule 17.2.2, the partnership share agreement may specify
         that an accumulation period comes to an end on the occurrence of a
         specified event.

17.4     If, during an accumulation period, a transaction occurs in relation to
         any of the shares ("the original holding") to be acquired under a
         partnership share agreement which results in a new holding of shares
         being equated with the original holding for the purposes of capital
         gains tax, then the partnership share agreement shall have effect after
         the time of that transaction as if it were an agreement for the
         purchase of shares comprised in the new holding, provided the
         Participant gives his consent for these purposes.

18.      APPLICATION OF MONEY DEDUCTED IN ACCUMULATION PERIOD

18.1     If the Board specifies one or more accumulation periods then, subject
         to Rules 18.5 and 18.6, partnership share money deducted in each period
         shall be applied by the Trustees in acquiring Partnership Shares on
         behalf of the Participant on the acquisition date.

18.2     For the purposes of this Rule 18, "the acquisition date" means the date
         set by the Trustees in relation to the award of Partnership Shares,
         being a date within 30 days after the end of the accumulation period
         which applies in relation to the award.

18.3     The number of shares awarded to each Participant shall be determined in
         accordance with the lower of:

         18.3.1   the market value of the shares at the beginning of the
                  accumulation period; and

         18.3.2   the market value of the shares on the acquisition date

         and "market value" shall be construed within the meaning of paragraph
         125 of Schedule 8.

18.4     Any surplus partnership share money remaining after the acquisition of
         shares by the Trustees:

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         18.4.1   may with the agreement of the Participant be carried forward
                  to the next accumulation period; and

         18.4.2   in any other case must be paid over to the Participant as soon
                  as practicable.

18.5     Where partnership share money has been deducted in an accumulation
         period and the employee ceases to be in relevant employment during that
         period then the partnership share money shall be paid over to the
         individual as soon as practicable.

18.6     The partnership share agreement may provide that, where an accumulation
         period comes to an end on the occurrence of a specified event, the
         partnership share money deducted in that period must be paid over to
         the individual as soon as practicable instead of being applied in
         acquiring shares.

18.7     This Rule 18 is subject to Rule 19 (restriction imposed on number of
         shares awarded).

19.      RESTRICTION IMPOSED ON NUMBER OF SHARES AWARDED

19.1     Subject to Rule 19.2, the Board may specify the maximum number of
         shares ("the award maximum") to be included in an award of Partnership
         Shares and, for these purposes, a different number may be specified in
         relation to different awards.

19.2     Where Rule 19.1 applies:

         19.2.1   partnership share agreements shall contain an undertaking by
                  the Company to notify the Participant of any restriction on
                  the number of shares to be included in an award: and

         19.2.2   such undertaking shall be given, if there is no accumulation
                  period, before the deduction of the partnership share money
                  related to the award and, if there is an accumulation period,
                  before the beginning of the accumulation period relating to
                  the award.

19.3     Where the award maximum in respect of an award of Partnership Shares is
         smaller than the number of shares which would otherwise be included in
         the award then the number of Partnership Shares included in each
         individual award under Rules 16.1 or 18.1 shall be reduced
         proportionately.

20.      STOPPING AND RE-STARTING DEDUCTIONS

20.1     A Participant may at any time give notice in writing to the Company to
         stop deductions in pursuance of a partnership share agreement.

20.2     A Participant who has stopped deductions may subsequently give notice
         in writing to the Company to re-start deductions in pursuance of a
         partnership share agreement, but may not make up deductions that have
         been missed.

20.3     Where there are one or more accumulation periods, an employee may be
         prevented from re-starting deductions more than once in any
         accumulation period.

20.4     Unless a later date is specified in the notice:

                                       13
<PAGE>

         20.4.1   the Company must within 30 days of receiving a notice within
                  Rule 20.1 ensure that no further deductions are made by it
                  under the partnership share agreement; and

         20.4.2   the Company must on receiving a notice within Rule 20.2
                  re-start deductions under the partnership share agreement not
                  later than the re-start date

         and, for the purposes of Rule 20.4.2, "the re-start date" is the date
         of the first deduction due under the partnership share agreement more
         than 30 days after receipt of the notice within Rule 20.2.

21.      WITHDRAWAL FROM PARTNERSHIP SHARE AGREEMENT

21.1     A Participant may withdraw from a partnership share agreement at any
         time by notice in writing to the Company.

21.2     Unless a later date is specified in the notice, a notice of withdrawal
         takes effect 30 days after it is received by the Company.

21.3     Where a Participant withdraws from a partnership share agreement, any
         partnership share money held on the Participant's behalf shall be paid
         over to him as soon as practicable.

22.      REPAYMENT OF PARTNERSHIP SHARE MONEY ON WITHDRAWAL OF SCHEME APPROVAL
         OR TERMINATION OF SCHEME

22.1     Any partnership share money held on behalf of a Participant shall be
         paid over to him in accordance with Rule 22.2 where:

         22.1.1   approval of the Scheme is withdrawn by the Board of the Inland
                  Revenue under paragraph 118 of Schedule 8; or

         22.1.2   a plan termination notice is issued in respect of the Scheme
                  under paragraph 120 of Schedule 8.

22.2     The payment shall be made:

         22.2.1   in a case within Rule 22.1.1, as soon as practicable after
                  notice of the withdrawal is given to the Company; and

         22.2.2   in a case within Rule 22.1.1, as soon as practicable after the
                  plan termination notice is notified to the trustees under
                  paragraph 120(2) of Schedule 8.

23.      ACCESS TO PARTNERSHIP SHARES

23.1     When Partnership Shares have been awarded to a Participant, the
         Participant may at any time withdraw any or all of the Partnership
         Shares from the Scheme.

24.      MEANING OF "SALARY"

24.1     References to a Participant's "salary" are to such of the emoluments of
         the Participant's employment by reference to which he is eligible to
         participate in the Scheme as are liable to be paid under deduction of
         tax pursuant to section 203 of the Taxes Act 1988 (PAYE), after
         deducting amounts included by virtue of Chapter II of Part V of that
         Act (expenses and benefits in kind), or would be so liable apart from
         Schedule 8.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                                     PART 4

                                 MATCHING SHARES

25.      GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MATCHING SHARES

25.1     The Matching Shares:

         25.1.1   must be shares of the same class and carrying the same rights
                  as the Partnership Shares to which they relate;

         25.1.2   must be awarded on the same day as the Partnership Shares to
                  which they relate are awarded; and

         25.1.3   must be awarded to all Participants on exactly the same basis.

25.2     Rule 24.1 is subject to Rule 33 (permitted restrictions: provisions for
         forfeiture).

26.      RATIO OF MATCHING SHARES TO PARTNERSHIP SHARES

26.1     The partnership share agreement must specify:

         26.1.1   the ratio of Matching Shares to Partnership Shares for the
                  time being offered by the Company; and

         26.1.2   the circumstances and manner in which the ratio may be changed
                  by the Company.

26.2     The ratio must not exceed 2:1 and must be applied by reference to the
         number of shares.

26.3     A Participant who has entered into a partnership share agreement must
         be informed by the Company if the ratio offered by the Company changes
         before Partnership Shares are acquired under the agreement.

27.      APPLICATION OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO HOLDING PERIOD ETC.

27.1     The provisions of Rules 13 of Part 2 of this Scheme (holding period and
         related matters) apply in relation to Matching Shares as they apply to
         Free Shares.

                                       15
<PAGE>

                                     PART 5

                         REINVESTMENT OF CASH DIVIDENDS

28.      REINVESTMENT

28.1     Subject to Rule 29, where the Board so directs:

         28.1.1   all cash dividends in respect of Scheme shares held on behalf
                  of Participants may be applied in acquiring further shares on
                  their behalf; or

         28.1.2   all cash dividends in respect of Scheme shares held on behalf
                  of Participants who elect to reinvest their dividends must be
                  applied in acquiring further shares on their behalf,

         in both cases, referred to in Part 5 of this Scheme as "reinvestment"
         and the further Scheme shares so acquired are referred to in Parts 5.6
         and 7 of this Scheme as "dividend shares".

28.2     The Board may revoke a direction made under Rule 28.1.

28.3     Where the Board does not make a direction in accordance with Rule 28.1
         then the dividends shall be paid over to Participants as soon as
         practicable.

29.      LIMIT ON AMOUNT REINVESTED

29.1     The total dividend reinvestment in respect of any Participant shall not
         exceed (pound)l,500 in any tax year (or such other limit specified from
         time to time in paragraph 54(l) of Schedule 8).

29.2     For the purposes of Rule 29. I, "the total dividend reinvestment" in
         respect of a Participant is the sum of:

         29.2.1   the amount applied by the Trustees in acquiring dividend
                  shares on behalf of the Participant under this Scheme; and

         29.2.2   the amount applied by the trustees of other employee share
                  ownership plans (within the meaning of paragraph l(1) of
                  Schedule 8) that are established by the Company or an
                  associated company (within the meaning of paragraph 126 of
                  Schedule 8) and approved under Schedule 8, in acquiring
                  dividend shares on his behalf.

29.3     If the amounts received by the Trustees exceed the limit in Rule 29.1
         the balance shall be paid over to the Participant as soon as
         practicable.

30.      GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVIDEND SHARES

30.1     Dividend shares shall be shares:

         30.1.1   of the same class and carrying the same rights as the shares
                  in respect of which the dividend is paid; and

         30.1.2   which are not subject to any provision for forfeiture.

                                       16
<PAGE>

31.      ACQUISITION OF DIVIDEND SHARES

31.1     In exercising their powers in relation to the acquisition of dividend
         shares:

         31.1.1   the Trustees shall treat Participants fairly and equally;

         31.1.2   the Trustees shall apply a cash dividend in acquiring further
                  shares on behalf of Participants on the acquisition date;

         31.1.3   the number of dividend shares acquired on behalf of each
                  Participant shall be determined in accordance with the market
                  value (within the meaning of paragraph 125 of Schedule 8) of
                  the shares on the acquisition date.

31.2     For the purposes of Rule 31.1.2, "the acquisition date" means the date
         set by the Trustees in relation to the acquisition of dividend shares,
         being a date within 30 days after the dividend is received by them.

31.3     References to the Trustees acquiring dividend shares on behalf of a
         Participant include the Trustees appropriating to a Participant shares
         already held by the Trustees.

32.      HOLDING PERIOD FOR DIVIDEND SHARES

32.1     The provisions of Rule 13 of Part 2 of this Scheme (holding period and
         related matters) apply in relation to dividend shares as they apply to
         Free Shares, except that the holding period must be three years.

33.      CERTAIN AMOUNTS NOT REINVESTED TO BE CARRIED FORWARD

33.1     Any amount that is not reinvested:

         33.1.1   because the amount of the cash dividend to which the
                  Participant is entitled is not sufficient to acquire a share;
                  or

         33.1.2   because there is an amount remaining after acquiring one or
                  more dividend shares on the Participant's behalf,

         may be retained by the Trustees and carried forward to be added to the
         amount of the next cash dividend to be reinvested, but shall be held by
         them so as to be separately identifiable for the purposes of Rules 33.2
         and 33.3.

33.2     Any amount retained under this paragraph shall be paid over to the
         Participant as soon as practicable:

         33.2.1   if or to the extent that it is not reinvested within the
                  period of three years beginning with the date on which the
                  dividend was paid, or

         33.2.2   if during that period the Participant ceases to be in relevant
                  employment, or

         33.2.3   if during that period a plan termination notice is issued in
                  respect of the Scheme.

33.3     For the purposes of this Rule 33 an amount carried forward under this
         Rule 33 derived from an earlier cash dividend is treated as reinvested
         before an amount derived from a later cash dividend.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                     PART 6

                            PROVISION FOR FORFEITURE

34.      PERMITTED RESTRICTIONS: PROVISION FOR FORFEITURE

34.1     A Participant shall cease to be beneficially entitled to the Free
         Shares or Matching Shares appropriated to that Participant on:

         34.1.1   the Participant ceasing to be in relevant employment at any
                  time in the forfeiture period, or

         34.1.2   in the case of Matching Shares, on the participant withdrawing
                  the Partnership Shares in respect of which these shares were
                  awarded from the Scheme within the forfeiture period,

         otherwise than by reason of an event within paragraph 87(2) of Schedule
         8 (circumstances in which there is no charge to tax on shares ceasing
         to be subject to plan).

34.2     In Rule 34.1 "the forfeiture period" means the forfeiture period
         specified by the Board being a period of not more than three years
         beginning with the date on which the shares were awarded to the
         Participant.

34.3     Forfeiture may not be linked to the performance of any person or
         persons.

34.4     The same provision for forfeiture must apply in relation to all Free or
         Matching Shares included in the same award under the Scheme.

                                       18
<PAGE>

                                     PART 7

                                  THE TRUSTEES

35.      DUTIES OF TRUSTEES

35.1     The Trustees shall be resident in the United Kingdom and shall:

         35.1.1   in the case of Free or Matching Shares, acquire shares and
                  appropriate then to employees in accordance with this Scheme;

         35.1.2   in the case of Partnership Shares, apply partnership share
                  money in acquiring shares on behalf of employees in accordance
                  with the Scheme; and

         35.1.3   in the case of dividend shares, to apply cash dividends in
                  acquiring shares on behalf of participants in accordance with
                  the Scheme.

36.      MEETING PAYE OBLIGATIONS

36.1     Where a PAYE obligation is imposed on the Trustees as a result of any
         of a Participant's Scheme shares ceasing to be subject to the Scheme,
         the Trustees shall meet that obligation:

         36.1.1   by disposing of any of those shares or any of the
                  Participant's remaining Scheme shares (if any); or

         36.1.2   by virtue of the Participant paying to the Trustees a sum
                  equal to the amount required to discharge the obligation.

36.2     In Rule 36.1 the reference to a PAYE obligation includes an obligation
         under paragraph 95 of Schedule 8 (PAYE: shares ceasing to be subject to
         the plan) and in Rule 36.1.1 the reference to disposing of shares
         includes the acquisition of the shares by the Trustees for the purposes
         of the trust.

                                                        CLIFFORD CHANCE
                                                        200 Aldersgate Street
                                                        London EC1A 4JJ

                                       19EXHIBIT 4.42

PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

Cob Stenham
Broughton House
6-8 Sackville Street
London
W1X 1DD

Dear Cob

Appointment as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Telewest
Communications plc

On behalf of Telewest Communications plc (Telewest), I write to confirm your
appointment as the Non-Executive Chairman of the Company with effect from 1
December 1999 on the following terms:

Appointment

1        Your appointment, subject to re-election when appropriate by the
         Company in General Meeting, will be for an initial fixed term of one
         year expiring on 1 December 2000 and shall continue unless or until
         terminated by either party giving to the other 12 months' written
         notice, expiring on or after 1 December 2000. Any payment in lieu of
         notice will not be subject to any deduction for mitigation or potential
         mitigation of loss suffered. In addition, your appointment will be
         subject to the Company's Articles of Association and will be reviewed
         on 1 December 2002.

Duties

2        During you Appointment, you will be required to contribute between 2
         and 3 full days per week to the business of the Company, to be
         available to the Board and the major shareholders as required, to
         attend the annual general meeting of the Company, regular and emergency
         Board meetings, any extraordinary general meeting of the Company and to
         serve on the Audit and Remuneration. committees of the Board.

Fees

3        You will be entitled to a fee for your services as a Director of
         (pound)175,000 per annum (less any necessary statutory deductions).
         This will be payable in arrears by equal monthly instalments.

Expenses

4        In addition to the fees described in paragraph 4 above, the Company
         shall reimburse you for all reasonable out of pocket expenses
         necessarily incurred in carrying out your duties.

5        In order to enable you to carry out the duties of your office, you will
         after consultation with the Board (and, if appropriate, jointly with
         any other Non-Executive Directors whose interests are the same as

<PAGE>

         yours), be entitled to seek external independent legal advice at the
         Company's expense.

6        It is acknowledged that your current arrangements for use of office
         space, secretarial support and a car and driver cannot be terminated
         until 31 March 2000. From 1 December 1999 to 31 March 2000 it is
         recognised that you will continue to make use of your current
         arrangements relating to such support services and will be compensated
         by the Company at a rate equivalent to (pound)75,000 per annum.

7        For a period of 2 years and 6 months from 31 March 2000 (the Period)
         you will be entitled to receive a cash sum in lieu of such support
         services equivalent to the market value of such support services up to
         a maximum of (pound)75,000 per annum or, at the option of the Company,
         you will be supplied with appropriate office space, secretarial support
         and a company car and driver.

         For the avoidance of doubt if the Company becomes unable or unwilling
         to supply such support services during the Period (whether through
         change of ownership or otherwise), a cash sum will be payable at a
         daily rate equivalent to the market value of such support services (up
         to a maximum of (pound)75,000 per annum) in respect of the unexpired
         portion of the Period.

Insurance

8        To the extent possible, the Company will use its reasonable endeavours
         to obtain appropriate director's and officer's liability insurance for
         your benefit during your appointment. Such insurance may not cover
         claims in which you are directly or indirectly interested as the
         claimant.

Other directorships and business interests

9        The Company recognises that you have other duties and business
         interests. Accordingly, you will be expected to notify the Company
         Secretary of any direct conflict of interest which may arise due to
         your duties as a Director of the Company and any other duties or
         business interests which you currently have.

10       During your appointment as a Director you will consult with the Company
         Secretary of the Company prior to accepting any other (or further)
         directorships of publicly quoted companies.

Code of conduct

11       During the period of your appointment you will comply with the Stock
         Exchange Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed
         Companies and such other requirements as the Board of Directors may
         from time to time specify.

Confidentiality

12       You must apply the highest standards of confidentiality, and not
         disclose to any person or company (whether during the course of the
         appointment or at any time after its termination), any confidential
         information concerning the Company and any Group Companies with which
         you come into contact by virtue of your position as Non-Executive
         Chairman. The Company is able to arrange shredding of papers which you
         no longer require.

<PAGE>

Please confirm your agreement to the above by signing and returning to me the
enclosed duplicate of this letter.

Yours sincerely

/s/ Miranda Curtis
..................................
Miranda Curtis
For and on behalf of Telewest Communications plc

I have read and agree to the above terms regarding my appointment as the
Non-Executive Chairman of Telewest Communications plc.

/s/ Cob Stenham
..................................
Cob Stenham

<PAGE>

19 September 2000

Cob Stenham, Esq.
4 The Grove
Highgate
London N6 6JU

Dear Cob

Amendment to the Terms of Your Appointment as Non-Executive Chairman of the
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Board of Directors of Telewest Communications plc
-------------------------------------------------

On behalf of Telewest Communications plc ("the Company"), I write to confirm an
amendment to the terms of your appointment. This amendment was approved by the
Remuneration Committee at its meeting on 1 August 2000.

With effect from 1 August 2000, your appointment may be terminated by either
party giving to the other 12 months' written notice, except that in the event of
a change of control of the Company the notice period shall be 24 months.

All the other terms of your appointment remain unaltered.

Please confirm your agreement to the above by signing and returning to me the
enclosed duplicate of this letter.

Yours sincerely,

/s/ Stani Yassukovich

Stani Yassukovich
-----------------

For and on behalf of Telewest Communications plc

I have read and agree to the above terms

/s/ Cob Stenham
.............................
Cob Stenham

<PAGE>

19 April 2002

Mr S Yassukovich
La Clemenssane
au lieudit La Bastide Basse
84480 Bonnieux
France

Dear Stani

Following our conversation last week with Clive Burns, I am writing to you, as
both the senior independent non-executive director and also the chairman of the
Remuneration Committee, to confirm my intentions in dealing with the "ratchet"
clause in my letter of appointment which increases my notice period from 12 to
24 months in the event of a change of control of the company.

There are two issues here:

1        If there was ever a "technical" change of control as part of a group
         reorganisation, then I would not regard this as being sufficient to
         trigger the "ratchet" clause. For the sake of clarity, I would only see
         the clause becoming operative where there was both a legal and
         management change of control of the company.

2        In the event that the company at any time undertakes a reorganisation
         or other significant corporate transaction where it is necessary for
         directors to vote on related proposals and/or advise shareholders to
         similarly vote, then if the existence of the ratchet clause was ever
         considered to compromise my independence, I would be happy to
         relinquish the clause altogether. My ability to be seen to be able to
         act independently is of course of vital importance in these
         circumstances and therefore to continue with the ratchet clause would
         not be appropriate.

Yours sincerely

/s/ Cob Stenham

COB STENHAM

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