Pole plonked on path ‘with no thought’ will be moved
MS3 TO DIG UP AFTER COMPLAINTS
RESIDENTS claim that this broadband pole has been put up with “no thought”, leaving people in wheelchairs, or with pushchairs, unable to get past.
The telegraph pole was installed on behalf of MS3, as part of a broadband rollout in Braemar Avenue, off Endike Lane, north Hull. But its location on an already narrow pavement has angered local people.
Now, MS3 has conceded that the pole will need to be moved. A company director said the firm took its community responsibilities seriously.
A resident who contacted Hull Live, and asked not to be named, said: “How can you get past with a wheelchair or mobility scooter or pushchair? There is no thought gone into how this will affect people with disabilities, blind people and future access if people are wanting to create dropped kerbs for their vehicles.
“I haven’t got an issue with companies wanting to provide a better broadband service, and for many years people of Hull, wanted a better service. But this is not what people thought it was going to be like.
“The poles are not a temporary thing, but a permanent fixture. I hope MS3 gets this repositioned and that all future installations are done with thought for others. Work like this is why people complain.”
Tony Joplin, MS3’S chief operating officer, said the company worked to ensure that the concerns of people were heard and that installations were carried out without long-term disruption.
Mr Jopling said: “Following concerns from residents, MS3 has inspected the location of the pole on Braemar Avenue in Hull and will be requesting a permit to relocate it. This will ensure that the required access distance between the pole and kerb edge is restored. MS3 continues to take its community responsibilities seriously.”
Last week, MS3 faced complaints after contractors put up a new telegraph pole opposite a war memorial in Brough. A ward councillor branded the decision disrespectful. The company said it would review the location.
So-called “challenger” broadband firms have faced a sustained backlash over the installation of new infrastructure, which includes telegraph poles. The firms say they are working to lower prices for customers.
Politicians have urged the firms to come to an agreement with KCOM to share existing infrastructure. Last week, KCOM unveiled a plan for rival companies to do just that.
The companies are allowed to install poles under “permitted development” rules, while allow them to bypass normal planning processes,
as long as they give 28 days; notice and taken reasonable objections into account. However, Julia Lopez, the Digital Infrastructure Minister, has told broadband firms that they should avoid installing new infrastructure unnecessarily and warned that the Government reserved the right to take further action.