So, an update!
I emailled the Virgin Media CEO
Neil.Berkett@virginmedia.co.uk.
Basically the long and short of it is that something is being done about this. Someone from his office phoned my office this morning. Unfortunately I was on a plane so missed it. Will keep you posted.
Yes, i am ADSL, as i have Sky. I am less than a mile from an exchange, which BT tell me supports upto 8 Meg. The most i have ever had is about 4, which is enough. Better than the 12kbps i was getting last night.