Mobile Phone Mast construction postponed!

Meeting on 25th January 2010 - Whitehorse Youth Centre

27.01.11

Press release immediate:

MOBILE PHONE OPERATORS POSTPONE PLANS TO CONSTRUCT MAST

On the 25^th January – local residents met with Mr James Stevenson, o2 Community Liaison Officer, to express their concerns about the approved mobile phone mast on Boulogne Road, next to Whitehorse Road. During a lively debate, the representative from o2 and Vodafone agreed to postpone the construction of the mast until ascertained whether alternative locations are indeed available. The audience made it clear they could not comprehend that a park was the only location given the signal radius of the mast.

Green Party spokesperson Shasha Khan, who organised the meeting, said:

“This reprieve shows that the community can take on the power of not one, but two mobile phone operators. Mobile phone masts may be a necessary part of our cityscape, but that doesn’t mean these companies can ignore the views of a small yet well organised group of people.”

KEY POINTS ARISING AT THE MEETING

• Mid-way through the meeting Mr. Stevenson informed the meeting (1) that the mobile phone mast was due to go up next week.
• Mr. Stevenson, advised the meeting that the council were paid £350 as a one off payment for erecting the mast. This led the audience to comment that £350 is all that the local community, and our public park, is worth to the council. It was to put to Mr Stevenson, that the agents who are operating in Croydon simply sourced the least expensive location.
• Mr Stevenson said o2 were not aware of any objections received. Yet the council web site still shows Application number 10/02698/DT received seven objections. Croydon council seems to have simply filed these objections. Surely, the comments should have been forwarded to the applicant.
• Those that attended the meeting told Mr. Stevenson that the reception they were getting on their o2 and Vodafone smart phones was perfect. Why was there a need for an additional mast?
• Mr. Stevenson explained that the signal strength of the mast was 1km. This by implication suggests we will a lot more in Croydon.
• Mr. Stevenson stormed out when the meeting finished refusing to shake my hand or acknowledging anyone.

Shasha Khan, continued

“As new technologies become available to us, we need to be made aware of any potential or increased risks, and given clear guidance on safest possible use. Mr. Stevenson stated that there was no risk from the mobile phone mast. This is contrary to logical thought. As more and more mobile phone masts are erected, as more and more wi-fi internet services become available - in schools and in homes, the issue of measurement of total dose of electromagnetic radiation comes to the fore. Looking at one stand-alone mast is not necessarily looking at the bigger picture.

“Given this continued line that there was no risk to the local residents, I asked Mr. Stevenson if o2 and Vodafone would pay for epidemiological survey, a way of tracking the health of the local residents. He initially rejected the idea but then changed his mind saying, “Come back to me,” implying he would consider it. I have already started drawing up a list of people who are willing to take part.” (2)

ENDS:

NOTES:

(1) Contact details of local residents are available upon request.

(2) There are examples of residents groups who have asked for an epidemiological survey, not necessarily funded by mobile phone operators, which has resulted in the applicant withdrawing their application.

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Tags croydon, greenparty