Councillor 'livid' over installation of new poles

A councillor who led a campaign against new telegraph poles in Lincoln two years ago said he was planning to fight new plans for them.

Telecom company Spring Fibre dropped its plans to install poles in Hartsholme two years ago after a campaign by residents, but now Openreach is planning a similar installation.

Independent councillor Biff Bean led the original campaign and said: "I'm appalled that this problem has raised its head again. Local people are against the unsightly and unwanted telegraph poles."

A Openreach spokesperson said it was investing more than £12m in "future-proofing Lincoln's connectivity" and was committed to keeping residents informed throughout.

Bean said residents were not informed beforehand about the plans and he was "livid" they were on the table again.

He said: "I will do everything within my power to get them stopped. I am currently having meetings with organisations and local people to see what we can do."

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, about 1,400 people signed a petition against the new infrastructure in 2023, with former Lincoln MP Karl McCartney describing the telegraph poles as being "1950s style".

Lincoln's current MP Hamish Falconer said: "I'm not against telegraph poles where they're needed to provide faster internet for everyone and where there's no other option."

Telegraph poles do not require planning permission, but companies must give 28 days notice to the local council.

Bean urged people to contact him if they see new poles in place.

The Openreach spokesperson added: "We always follow the required processes, including issuing notices where new poles are planned at least three months in advance. We work closely with the local council and listen to any residents' concerns, taking these into account as much as possible."

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