A TELECOMMUNICATIONS company have vowed to consult with residents first before installing telegraph poles in Bromsgrove after complaints about a lack of communication.
Broadband firm, BRSK, has been in hot water recently for installing telegraph poles around the country without first consulting nearby residents about the installations.
Under permitted development legislation, certain telecommunications infrastructure installs do not need planning permission and are therefore not required to go through a consultation process prior to installation works.
Permitted developments include ground-based mobile masts up to 30 meters in non-protected areas and up to 25 meters in protected areas.
Since the telegraph poles began popping up around Bromsgrove, residents reached out to their MP Bradley Thomas to raise concerns about the lack of communication from BRSK.
Mr Thomas has since met with the company’s CEO, on Monday (December 2), who agreed that BRSK will carry out community engagement before any telegraph poles are installed.
At the meeting, where the minister for data protection and telecoms Chris Bryant MP was also present, it was also confirmed that BRSK now has guaranteed access to BT Openreach infrastructure to install, in most cases, broadband infrastructure underground.
Where underground installation is not possible, Mr Thomas says he will hold the firm to account to ensure they are consulting residents prior to installation.
Bradley said: “I’ve been contacted by a number of constituents who have been caught by surprise when telegraph poles have sprung up outside their homes.
“I believe vital broadband infrastructure should be installed underground where possible. But when telegraph poles are the only option, communities should be consulted with first before any infrastructure is installed.
“I’m pleased to have secured that guarantee from BRSK following my meeting with their CEO.
“I hope residents are no longer caught out by any surprises if a telegraph pole was to appear in their street, but I will of course continue to hold BRSK to account and ensure they keep their promises.”
Ofcom launched an investigation in September to see whether BRSK failed to comply with its obligations to consult with, and provide 28 days’ written notice to, a local planning authority before installing certain electronic communications apparatus.
The investigation remains open.
