Nearly 500 residents of a housing estate in Kingswinford expressed strong opposition to the installation of new telegraph poles near their homes.
Dudley South MP Mike Wood has backed residents living on the Charterfields Estate, off Stallings Lane, who signed a petition objecting to the installation of new telecommunications masts.
The proposed installation by broadband provider BRSK will see new telecom masts with overhead cables in many locations across the site.
But residents claim the property was designed with underground telecommunications in the 1960s to eliminate the need for above-ground infrastructure.
Residents on the site, Mike Wood MP and local councilors have raised concerns that the company has chosen not to use existing underground infrastructure in line with government guidance, instead using above-ground telegraph poles and cables that would unnecessarily destroy streets. .
Mr Wood said: “I can understand why residents are angry and I hope BRSK will act sensibly and change their plans to ensure the character of the property is not changed forever.
“The strength of feeling here in Charterfields and elsewhere in the region is clear, and so is the Government guidance which states that providers should share existing infrastructure or use underground options wherever possible.
“So BRSK needs to go back and talk to other providers and change their plans.”
Local resident Phil Hall, who co-ordinated the petition, said: “Charterfields was built in the late 1960s, early 1970s with a unique feature: all telecommunications were installed underground. This design has allowed us residents to enjoy a pristine streetscape, away from the usual network of telegraph poles and telephone wires, and we want to keep it that way.
“We’re not against new full fiber network technology, we’re just against the way it’s being built.”
Ed Lawrence, councilor for Kingswinford North and Wall Heath, added: “We have been working with residents of Wall Heath and Kingswinford for some time to combat the installation of telegraph poles on sites with underground services. We know we need full fiber broadband and welcome the introduction of this. But we believe it will not telegraph our streets.” “We want it to be installed in a way that doesn’t fill it with pylons, especially on sites like Charterfield where all existing services are underground.”
Hundreds of people living on the site signed the petition stating that they did not want new telegraph poles to be installed on their streets and that they did not need the services offered by BRSK.
Mr Hall recently presented a petition signed by 450 people to BRSK. He and Mr Wood MP also expressed their concerns to Minister of State for Media and Data Julia Lopez MP.
BRSK has announced that it will offer a full fiber broadband service in the West Midlands in line with the Government’s mandate to deliver gigabit broadband services across the UK by 2030.
A spokesperson for the company said: “BRSK is fully committed to delivering on this mission, which can only be achieved by upgrading the existing broadband infrastructure to full fibre, the fastest and most reliable type of broadband available.
“We pride ourselves on open and constant communication throughout the construction process. Letters were first sent to residents in December 2023 to inform them of our plans to work in the area. Our teams have since been working diligently to speak to residents and work with them to find alternative locations for the masts that are as suitable as possible and as a result we have made major changes to our original plans.
“We also ensure that communication takes place with the relevant local authority before any work begins. BRSK representatives met with Councilman Ed Lawrence to discuss and share our network plans. Communication between the Council and BRSK has been positive and continues. “We have also requested to meet with local MP Mike Wood multiple times regarding the launch.”
“Following extensive investigation, we have found that the existing underground infrastructure in the area is not suitable for us, meaning the only remaining option is to go above ground. The plan is to place the bollards in locations that will cause the least disruption to residents, and residents who may be affected will be contacted directly through our engagement process. There is a misconception that poles are old infrastructure. In fact, they are the most effective, efficient and environmentally friendly way to use the most advanced broadband infrastructure we have (full fiber broadband).
“We are proud to make Kingswinford one of the best digitally connected areas in the country ahead of the national deadline, creating the opportunity for residents to receive a premium broadband subscription while many parts of the country have no internet access. full fiber broadband.”