Residents ‘don’t want unsightly nine-metre poles in our street’
Area of Moorlands town does not currently even have street lights
FAMILIES are furious after finding out nine-metre high telegraph poles are to be installed in their street.
Telecommunications firm Full Fibre needs to install the poles to provide Rivendell Lane, in Leek, with ultrafast broadband.
But residents say they are ‘completely happy’ with the current broadband speeds - if it means no poles blighting their street.
Marina Hilton says the poles will ruin the ‘street scene.’
She said: “In Rivendell Lane, apparently, there is no trunking so contractors are intending to install unsightly nine-metre high telegraph poles with adjoining cables as a cheap, quick alternative to sinking the cable underground.
“I, along with all the neighbours I have spoken to, do not want our street spoiled by poles and cables, particularly when we all seem to be completely happy with the existing broadband connection we have.
“I welcome progress but feel that corners should not be cut and the new cables should be installed underground.
“Rivendell Lane has no telegraph poles or even street lights currently and these proposed poles will be completely out of keeping.”
Marina has lived on Rivendell Lane for 23 years.
She added: “We got a note saying this was happening. They’ve come along on the street and painted a few little yellow circles, presumably where they think they are going to put these poles.
“One of them is on the edge of one of the pavements. If you were trying to push a pram down the street, you wouldn’t be able to get past the post.
“We weren’t informed before they said they were going to do it.
“We’ve had no consultation whatsoever. When we contacted Full Fibre to question the installation of these unsightly poles outside our homes we were told that they do not have to consult with us.
“I am angry about this and have written to request their appeal procedure without reply.
“We have not been told when they intend to carry out the work. They look a mess, it completely changes the street scene. They are going to be crossing over the road as well.
“The company argues that it might be wanted for future residents, which I understand and I’m not trying to stop progress - it’s important they put better broadband out. But with current technologies improving all the time, putting telegraph poles in is such a retro step. It’s just not necessary.
“I can’t see the cost of putting it underground is significantly different than putting the post up.
“I’d like them to put it underground. I’m happy for them to put better broadband in if people want it. But I don’t believe anyone on the street actually does. I can see for the future that it’s important.
“I think they are trying to cut corners and it should be done properly and put underground.
“We don’t want it to happen. They don’t seem to want to enter into any conversation about it.
“They say this isn’t up for negotiation which I think is wrong.”
Full Fibre says it is working towards Government goals.
A spokesman said: “These residents and their local MP are in ongoing discussions.
“As we have informed them previously, the company is working towards the Government goal of providing gigabit capable networking across the country.
“We are working to tight timing constraints and one of the aspects of utilising telegraph poles is in line to build our network within these.
“We have sent letters to inform residents prior to installing any telegraph poles to inform them and where necessary and possible we engage with residents to install telegraph poles in the most viable position whilst having minimal impact on aesthetics.”