One other thing - removing the cable cover on a service head in the UK can be seen as a revenue protection issue!
This is on a par with removing the meter seals and should not be done unless you have something in writing from the PoCo / metering company. The penalties can be quite severe!
I'm assuming the covers were over the unpainted areas and these covers would have been installed to prevent access to the tails prior to the meter. They should have tamper-proof stickers over them to prevent the screws being removed.
Once you have finished any work, you might consider letting the PoCo know that it wasn't sealed in case they want to come and re-seal it.
Cheers
Ian
