RESIDENTS UNITED BY PHONE MAST PROTEST
EMILY RETTER
Sutton Coldfield Observer
10:30 - 15 July 2005
One hundred protesters linked arms and lined the streets on Saturday (July 9) as a symbol of solidarity against a mobile phone mast.
Erdington residents brought their children to the march against a controversial T Mobile mast, which is set to be erected on Court Lane, opposite a play area. "We wanted to do something to really make a point," said campaigner, Linda Jarvis.
"It hasn't been proven that masts don't have an effect on our health - what if in ten years time they find that they do?
Omega there is no need to wait ten years. See under:
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html
"We would have put our future generations at risk by not making a stand."
Twelve police officers attended the protest, helping residents block Court Lane in a bid to make their stand.
One even added his own name to the 800-strong petition.
Erdington MP Sion Simon, who is currently backing a new Parliamentary campaign to guarantee full public consultation on the siting of masts, is fully behind the residents.
"What a stupid thing to do," he said.
"We all use mobile phones and they have to put masts somewhere, but they don't have to put them opposite a children's play area.
"In the current climate people are so concerned about health risks, why suggest putting a mast there?
"Frankly, I'm just annoyed."
Mr Simon completely supports the residents' decision to march.
"I've been campaigning for years now to make sure the voice of local people is heard in the planning process.
"But at the end of the day people shouldn't have to be marching - companies shouldn't be making such stupid suggestions in the first place."
Elsewhere in Erdington, an application for a 11.6 metre-high Vodaphone mast has been given the go-ahead on Eachelhurst Road, on the pavement adjacent to Pype Hayes Park.
And a further application has been put forward for a ten-metre high mast in Chipstead Road.
Public consultation is welcome until August 12.
Sutton Coldfield Observer
10:30 - 15 July 2005
One hundred protesters linked arms and lined the streets on Saturday (July 9) as a symbol of solidarity against a mobile phone mast.
Erdington residents brought their children to the march against a controversial T Mobile mast, which is set to be erected on Court Lane, opposite a play area. "We wanted to do something to really make a point," said campaigner, Linda Jarvis.
"It hasn't been proven that masts don't have an effect on our health - what if in ten years time they find that they do?
Omega there is no need to wait ten years. See under:
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html
"We would have put our future generations at risk by not making a stand."
Twelve police officers attended the protest, helping residents block Court Lane in a bid to make their stand.
One even added his own name to the 800-strong petition.
Erdington MP Sion Simon, who is currently backing a new Parliamentary campaign to guarantee full public consultation on the siting of masts, is fully behind the residents.
"What a stupid thing to do," he said.
"We all use mobile phones and they have to put masts somewhere, but they don't have to put them opposite a children's play area.
"In the current climate people are so concerned about health risks, why suggest putting a mast there?
"Frankly, I'm just annoyed."
Mr Simon completely supports the residents' decision to march.
"I've been campaigning for years now to make sure the voice of local people is heard in the planning process.
"But at the end of the day people shouldn't have to be marching - companies shouldn't be making such stupid suggestions in the first place."
Elsewhere in Erdington, an application for a 11.6 metre-high Vodaphone mast has been given the go-ahead on Eachelhurst Road, on the pavement adjacent to Pype Hayes Park.
And a further application has been put forward for a ten-metre high mast in Chipstead Road.
Public consultation is welcome until August 12.
Starmail - 16. Jul, 12:38
