A good signal rejected by a united local neighbourhood

Photo: Anti-mast campaigner councillor David Barton

A good signal rejected by a united local neighbourhood 

Mobile phone bosses for O2 and Vodafone are left ‘disappointed’ after Sefton Council rejected a scheme to have a new telephone mast erected in Birkdale.

The telecom giants wanted to put up a signal- boosting mast near to the One Stop Shop on Belmont Street but this led to a number of residents in the area launching a petition against the plans.

They wanted the mast to be placed elsewhere – but have forced the hand of Sefton Council into rejecting the plans altogether.

A spokesperson for CTIL Communications, acting for the phone companies, said: “Vodafone and Telefonica customers expect to be able to use their mobiles and devices where they live, work and travel.

“Base stations are low powered devices which only cover approximately half a mile in radius and therefore we have to put base stations close to our customers.  We identified that we need to improve the coverage to our customers in Birkdale and applied for a base station at Belmont Street.

“We were disappointed that the local planning authority refused the application and are considering our options in the local area, including further engagement with the local authority.”

Delighted anti-mast campaigner councillor David Barton heaped praise on the council for rejecting the plans.

He said: “”On behalf of the local residents I would like to thank both the local residents and Sefton Council for running another positive and constructive campaign on behalf of the local community.

“My gratitude must also extend to CTIL the Telephone Provider who have continued to cooperate with and assist the local neighbourhood with finding a better suited location for the eventual Base Station, which I hope will be situated at one of the various new locations put forward by residents and businesses.

“Having run a detailed consultation exercise which has included on-site visits and meetings between both local neighbours and the Provider I must commend the Provider’s professionalism and persistence in trying to source  the best possible location.

“Whilst there is a need to maximise our Telecommunications across Birkdale and indeed the Southport area, a more appropriate location that fulfills all parameters will become available that causes minimal  inconvenience and indeed will  boost revenue for a more relevant third party site.”

Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321

Email ots@otsnews.co.uk

Facebook www.facebook.com/Otsnews-Southport-1575528676012039/

Twitter  www.twitter.com/onthespot_news

Breaking local news as it happens, searchable archives with photographs, the ability to instantly comment on news articles – there are so many advantages to OTS (Onthespot) News.

If you want your news read locally online then send it to ots@otsnews.co.uk – relying only on the newspaper is to restrict yourself to an ever reducing audience