Sutton Coldfield Observer

10:30 - 19 August 2005

With regard to your article 'Concern Over Streetly Mast Plan' (August 5).

Having lived in Boldmere for 30 years I enjoy reading the Observer to check what is going on. Most weeks there are protests against mobile phone masts being positioned in Sutton and surrounding areas.

I agree with the vast majority of residents in saying they should not be placed in residential built-up areas.

However I do plead guilty to possessing a mobile phone myself!

In our household we have three mobile phones and use two different networks.

So, in a way, like many others we are saying one thing, "I don't want a mast near my home/school etc." and doing another by possessing the "evil" mobile phone, thereby creating a demand for better signals, thus leading to mobile phone masts being positioned near to our homes!

We are all aware that these actions could prove to dangerous to people's health, but it seems nobody really knows to what degree.

I would question is it 50 yards or 50 miles?

As I said, I live in Boldmere and wonder if people know that two phone masts are less than 100 yards from the high street, where we walk to school and do our daily shopping.

I know people must use mobiles for their work, others for emergencies, and many for social purposes, we all have our reasons.

However, we created the need for these services by requiring mobile phones (with a good signal!)

Do we need these fashion accessories?

JG, Boldmere,

(Name and address supplied)