News story

24th July 2001

MP Backs Local Residents Over Mast Fears

Northavon MP Steve Webb has given his backing to local residents concerned about the threat of a new type of telecommunications mast planned for Hawkesbury Upton. The proposed “TETRA” mast is designed to improve radio services used by the Police and by other emergency services. But the particular frequency used for transmissions is different to that used by other mobile telephone masts and there is little conclusive research as to possible effects on human health. The independent Stewart Report into mobile telecommunications published last year recommended that this frequency should be avoided if at all possible, because of the possibility of harmful effects on the brain, and Sir William Stewart has recently repeated his view that these masts should not go ahead. An all-party group of MPs has expressed its concerns that the Government is not adopting the “precautionary principle” with regard to TETRA masts by ensuring that proper research is undertaken before the scheme is rolled out nationwide. However, in its response to the Select Committee report the Government said it would be “proceeding with implementation” of the scheme. Its only concession was that research into possible health effects was currently being undertaken and would be “published when the work is completed”. Now local MP Steve Webb has written to the Home Office and to planning ministers stressing residents’ concerns about these proposals.

Steve Webb said:

“An independent committee of inquiry set up by the Government recommended that masts using this frequency should not go ahead until there was clear scientific evidence that they were safe. It is a disgrace that the Government has ignored its own scientific advisors and is pressing ahead anyway. What will they do if the research shows that there are real dangers? The Government should adopt the precautionary principle and not allow any further masts until the safety case has been clearly demonstrated”.


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