Anger at plan for 300 rural mobile masts

‘A reckless and wasteful approach’

PLANS to place ‘unnecessary’ phone masts in isolated areas of Scotland have been criticised by campaigners.

Around 300 masts have been suggested across the Highlands, bringing complaints from communities across the region.

The proposals are part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN) project – a £500million collaboration between the UK Government and phone giants EE, O2, Three and Vodafone to achieve 95 per cent mobile coverage across Britain.

A coalition of groups – including the John Muir Trust conservation charity, climbers’ and walkers’ groups Mountaineering Scotland and Ramblers Scotland, and the Knoydart Foundation – have raised fears that scores of unneeded masts are in danger of being erected.

In Knoydart, home of the UK’s most remote mainland community, at least three masts are proposed. A petition condemning the plan has been signed by 104 people, 86 per cent of the population.

Other suggested Highland sites include the upper part of Glen Nevis, near Fort William, which is known for its wild scenery, and a nature reserve on the Isle of Mull.

Mike Daniels, policy director of the John Muir Trust, said: ‘We are completely behind the need for improving telecoms connectivity, which is vital for rural communities.

‘However, contractors rushing to complete this scheme are bulldozing ahead without proper community consultation or respect for the fragile nature of precious wild places. This seems a reckless and wasteful approach to achieving a vital outcome.’

Davie Black, access and conservation officer for Mountaineering Scotland, said: ‘This should focus on communities and businesses rather than map coordinates.

‘We are greatly concerned that hundreds of unnecessary masts could be installed in sensitive mountain areas, along with tracks and other infrastructure, with the sole objective of meeting a pointless and purely geographical target.’

The coalition is calling on the operators to consult with rural communities before siting masts; avoid new access tracks if possible; avoid the most sensitive wild places; and share masts rather than putting up more than one on sites.

The UK Government insists the project means ‘the public and private sector are coming together to make sure people are better connected’.

In Scotland, the SRN is intended to see coverage from the four operators rise to a minimum of 74 per cent, up from 44 per cent.