Mast campaign row rumbles on
by Gareth Bethell and Gareth Bethell
A MOTHER heading a campaign to get a mobile phone mast moved was yesterday warning of alleged health dangers.
Karen Kelly, 47, of Manor Crescent, off Akers Way, Moredon, was joined by about 20 other campaigners at the site of the mast in her street.
They are determined to have the 45m O2 transmitter, which has not gone live yet, taken down.
This follows a petition from 300 residents, calling for it to be removed, which was handed to the council last month.
Mrs Kelly believes the mast is a danger to her children Summer, aged eight, and Morgan, 12, who has an auto-immune condition which makes him susceptible to disease.
She said: "We've got to keep fighting this. If there is any doubt that these masts are dangerous they should not be putting them in residential areas.
"It is only metres from my son's bedroom window and could seriously endanger him.
"I received five studies from Mast Action Group UK all with evidence saying that there is a concentration of cancer clusters near mobile phone masts.
"The Government is carrying out its own study, but if there is any doubt these things shouldn't be put near houses.
"My family are guinea pigs. It's profit over people's health."
Moredon's councillor Derique Montaut will meet the leader of the council, Mike Bawden, to discuss concerns over the phone mast on Thursday, April 14.
Coun Montaut said: "I'm hoping the concerns of residents will be discussed
"And I will be looking at whether we can raise objections on planning grounds.
Coun Bawden said: "There is no medical evidence to support fears that masts cause cancer.
"Local authorities are in a difficult position as there is no evidence of health risks.
"There are no grounds to object to masts on health grounds."
An O2 spokeswoman said the mast was urgently needed and that the company had to rely on current research, which says there are no health risks.
A MOTHER heading a campaign to get a mobile phone mast moved was yesterday warning of alleged health dangers.
Karen Kelly, 47, of Manor Crescent, off Akers Way, Moredon, was joined by about 20 other campaigners at the site of the mast in her street.
They are determined to have the 45m O2 transmitter, which has not gone live yet, taken down.
This follows a petition from 300 residents, calling for it to be removed, which was handed to the council last month.
Mrs Kelly believes the mast is a danger to her children Summer, aged eight, and Morgan, 12, who has an auto-immune condition which makes him susceptible to disease.
She said: "We've got to keep fighting this. If there is any doubt that these masts are dangerous they should not be putting them in residential areas.
"It is only metres from my son's bedroom window and could seriously endanger him.
"I received five studies from Mast Action Group UK all with evidence saying that there is a concentration of cancer clusters near mobile phone masts.
"The Government is carrying out its own study, but if there is any doubt these things shouldn't be put near houses.
"My family are guinea pigs. It's profit over people's health."
Moredon's councillor Derique Montaut will meet the leader of the council, Mike Bawden, to discuss concerns over the phone mast on Thursday, April 14.
Coun Montaut said: "I'm hoping the concerns of residents will be discussed
"And I will be looking at whether we can raise objections on planning grounds.
Coun Bawden said: "There is no medical evidence to support fears that masts cause cancer.
"Local authorities are in a difficult position as there is no evidence of health risks.
"There are no grounds to object to masts on health grounds."
An O2 spokeswoman said the mast was urgently needed and that the company had to rely on current research, which says there are no health risks.
Starmail - 13. Apr, 13:19
