Middle England homeowners are rebelling against the influx of “monstrous” 30ft telegraph poles that have been erected amongst their picturisque towns and villages.
Ministers have now promised to “review” the installation of the gigantic poles, after residents have complained that the structures are spoiling their surroundings and devaluing their homes.
It comes after a residents’ group organised a major revolt, which involved them taking to the streets to block installation work.
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology is now “looking closely at ways operators handle complaints” after residents complained that their grievances to telecom companies were being ignored.
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The 30ft poles have been deemed “unnecessary” by protesters who have claimed that the full fibre cables that the poles support could be placed underground instead.
Due to a change in the law, residents are powerless to stop the “monstrous” poles being erected, as planning consent is no longer required.
However, many disgruntled residents have taken matters into their own hands to protest the installation.
In Hedon, East Yorkshire, 500 poles are due to be installed but 15 residents have banded together to try and thwart the plans.
The residents have done their best to legally block workmen installing the poles by tactically parking cars in front of designated pole areas.
In some areas, police have been drawn into the ongoing dispute, trying to keep the peace between angry residents and telecom companies.
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Last month, disgruntled residents in Hull chopped down two telegraph poles with chainsaws.
Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of two telegraph poles being set on fire.
Footage later circulated online of a group of people using a chainsaw to cut down a pole in the middle of the night.
Police were investigating, according to pole-planting company MS3.
Earlier in the month, East Riding Council in Yorkshire suspended the installation of the MS3 telegraph poles after some locals tried to physically block their fittings.
A spokesman for the council said: “In response to the feedback from the local community, the council has decided to suspend the ongoing works of MS3 for their project in the area.
“The council will hold a meeting with MS3 and their contractors on Thursday, 2 November, to discuss the concerns and seek to agree appropriate solutions.
“The works of MS3 will resume only after the council is satisfied necessary adjustments have been implemented.”
The 30ft poles have been deemed “unnecessary” by protesters
PA
Campaigners want the company to use existing underground infrastructure and approve of the council’s decision.
One couple, Steve and Emma Old, of Harworth, north Nottinghamshire, were enraged after a huge Connect Fibre cabinet was installed right outside their driveway by telecoms workers.
The installation has caused them to have several near misses - causing them to have several near misses with cars and pedestrians.
The pair said they tried to contact Connect Fibre but to no avail.
“I dread the day myself or my husband have an accident due to the dangerous placement of this cabinet.
“You can imagine the problems, the near misses, the upset and the anxiety that we are currently going through on a daily basis, this has been the case for some months,” Emma Old told The Mail.
