Marple Bridge residents stop new telegraph poles being built to avoid 'ruining' the views
A group of neighbours in Stockport stopped a broadband firm putting up nine-metre telegraph poles on a road with spectacular views.
When Brsk shared plans to put three of its poles on Bracken Close and Fernwood in Marple Bridge, people living in the area were left in shock.
The streets have stunning views over Stockport's countryside, with the Peak District visible in the distance.
Many on the streets said these views were a big part of why they moved to the area.
So frustrations grew when they learned that Brsk was planning to install its telegraph poles and bring its services to the area.
People in the close-knit community feared their views would be spoiled by the broadband poles and cable wires spread across the streets.
"We've already got options for Wi-Fi, we're not going to use them, so it's just a waste for them," said Simon Baker, one of the residents on Bracken Close.
"I'm all for new infrastructure, but it feels like they're doing it on the cheap."
The residents decided to take on Brsk, and set about researching the law and exploring what they could do to try to change the plan.
They asked Brsk why they were planning to put telegraph poles up instead of going underground.
With many Wi-Fi options already available in the community, they questioned whether there was a need for more.
Some feared the poles, once up, could be there forever. As one person put it: "Once it goes up it won't ever come down."
George Lee, 92, has lived in the area since 1984.
He said: "It's going to be absolutely terrible. The problem is we don't know which way the cables are going to go, but even a pole without any cables would be intrusive on the view.
"It's incredible living here, it's quiet and the views around are extremely good. These poles and wires will ruin all that."
Another resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "There's not a house on this road that doesn't have a good view.
"This is really going to badly affect the view, I wouldn't say it's going to ruin it, but not far off.
"There is anger and frustration towards BRSK because of this."
The broadband firm planned to use permitted development rights to install its telegraph poles.
This means they can do the work without having to apply for planning permission from the council.
A decision for these poles to go up was confirmed on May 8 according to Stockport council records.
But the residents refused to back down on what they said would be a major loss for the area.
Scores of people told the company they would refuse to buy its services.
Every household on Bracken Close put their names behind a letter to Brsk opposing the plans.
More than 60 people on Fernwood signed a petition against the telegraph poles.
People asked Brsk whether it was following a list of best practice recommendations the company had signed up to under the industry's code of practice.
This states that firms should look at sharing existing poles and infrastructure before putting up new ones in order to 'reduce unnecessary duplication and visual impact.'
They also got their three local councillors for Maple North involved, and Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart.
Cllr Geoff Abel grew up in the area and was part of conversations with residents.
He said: "It would be a great shame if Brsk steamrolled their poles around this precious area."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted Brsk on June 18 asking for a response to the growing concerns.
The same day, the firm sent an email saying it had heard the message and would only be building a partial network, using the existing telegraph poles on Fernwood.
It was the news people in the area had wanted to hear.
One resident spoke of a feeling of huge relief, saying it had taken countless hours of writing emails and doing research outside of work time.
Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart said broadband firms putting up tall poles must work with local communities and listen to their views on these matters.
"Residents need to be able to get their views across to companies, and to be genuinely listened to," she said.
"I've intervened with companies previously to do that, and am working with the residents who have been in touch recently to do the same now.
"I've also kept an ongoing dialogue with ministers within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology to insist that they work with companies to deliver the highest possible standards.
"Better access to broadband is clearly a good thing, but it should be delivered with communities' wishes, not against them."
Gareth Cornelius, managing director at Brsk, said: "We can confirm that we will no longer be installing telegraph poles on Fernwood Road and Bracken Close in Marple Bridge.
"While these streets already have existing Openreach poles, three additional poles were required to safely complete our network build in line with health and safety regulations, due to the distance between existing infrastructure.
"We engaged with local residents and councillors as part of our community consultation process to explore solutions that would work for the whole community.
"While some welcomed the prospect of improved broadband choice, others raised concerns.
"In line with our commitment to the best practice recommendations under the industry code of practice, we have listened to this feedback and decided not to proceed with our rollout in this location.
"Our aim had been to invest in the community and bring essential broadband infrastructure to the area."
~
Free from clickbait, Stockport Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.
To get our top stories in your inbox each week, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter HERE.
Please consider following Stockport Nub News on Facebook or X
Share:
