Yahoo News 'Imagine looking out your window every day and seeing such an eyesore'
People in a south Manchester suburb have been left fuming over plans to erect 'eyesore' 15m broadband poles in their neighbourhood.
Local councillors who met with the IXW Build surveyor confirmed IX Wireless poles will be installed in various streets around Withington - but they have been met with a furious backlash from locals who argue the poles are unnecessary and ‘threaten’ the charm and character of the neighbourhood.
READ MORE: 'Nobody has ever heard of our street - now there are police everywhere'
The applications are submitted under permitted development rights, meaning they do not require planning permission from the local authority and cannot be called into the planning committee to be debated or refused by the council.
Though signs have been spotted on various streets around the ward, neighbours have complained there is no 'full picture' on where, when or how many poles will be installed in the area and argue it has left locals 'blindly in the dark' about the process.
Resident Marilyn Roseman told the MEN: “There is no clear instruction on where the poles will be going so to give a full picture for the community. We are all confused and left blindly in the dark about this."
Allen Roseman added: “There should be more of a planning permission route because it has local, visual and environmental impact. It’s from one issue to the next. We already have good internet for the area it's not needed.”
The MEN has seen one of the signs put up in the ward by IX Wireless which said: "IXW will soon be undertaking street works in this area to extend its full fibre network. During this time we will be installing telegraph pole on the public footpath in the approximate location(s) below. We estimate that each pole will take approximately 1-2 days to complete.
"The works have been designed and will be carried out in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015."
'It's a constant fight'
The complaints about the poles come just a month after the council removed the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in Withington after fierce backlash. Now, residents argue it's a ‘constant fight’ for locals' voices and needs to be heard.
Victoria Butler, who lives on Allen Road, one of the streets where the broadband poles are set to be installed, said: “We’ve just had all the issues with the roadblock planters and now we have to fight against these broadband poles - it’s one thing after another to deal with.”
“It’s just causing more stress to people’s lives and now we have to pull the community together again to moan - it’s a constant fight. Why can’t people listen to what locals need in the first place? Imagine looking out your window every day and seeing such an eyesore,” she added.
Victoria’s brother, Jimmy, said: “After seeing what happened with the planters being taken away we don’t want the same thing for an eyesore telephone pole to be installed and then later removed.”
Withington Coun Chris Wills said: "We agree with the frustrations of residents, and we have been constantly raising these with IXW Build.
"I would point out that, on the point where residents do not feel listened to, we have been listening to and acting on the concerns that they have been raising with us, and doing everything we can to support them.
"We have made it clear to IXW Build that they must do much more to engage with the local community and keep people updated."
The IX Wireless system works from cabinets which are directly linked to data centres from which they receive full fibre broadband. Telegraph poles then carry fibre cables overhead from the cabinet to the transmitter which acts as a broadcasting mast.
The fibre signal is then sent wirelessly from the transmitter to a receiver fitted to the property while the transmitter is cabled directly to the router.
'It's just common decency'
Bill Simpson, who has lived in the Withington estate for 38 years, said: “We found stickers all over Hatherley Road, Alan Road, School Grove and you think what is this about? We haven’t even received a letter through the post, it's just common decency.
“I’m not even sure all the neighbours have noticed they are being installed.”
The poles have already appeared in other areas of Greater Manchester, including Bolton where they have proved highly controversial with residents.
Stuart said: “We’re very resilient neighbours and don’t give up trying to ensure the community is heard.”
The online petition calling for the proposed installation of the IXW 15m poles to be scrapped has attracted more than 150 signatures.
The petition says: “The charm and character of our beloved Withington and Fallowfield, Manchester, is being threatened by the proposed installation of IXW's 15m Masts and Poles.
“Standing at a towering 15 metres tall these Masts, and Poles will not only impose themselves visually but may also emit significant noise where there are accompanying cabinets and hardware.
“It is clear that the introduction of additional poles or towering masts is unnecessary, particularly when robust broadband infrastructure already exists.
“We urgently call upon the local authorities in Withington and Fallowfield, Manchester and IXW to reassess this decision and seek alternative solutions that prioritise safety and respect the area's aesthetics.”
The MEN has made repeated attempts to contact IX Wireless for a response.
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