news story

10th August 2007

Mobile Phone Mast Success

Northavon MP Steve Webb has welcomed the decision by mobile phone company O2 to abandon plans to build a phone mast next to Elm Park Primary School in Winterbourne.

Mr Webb campaigned with parents, school governors and local residents against the proposed siting of the mast on the telephone exchange in Nicholls Lane, which would have overlooked the school.  He also chaired a meeting at his Westminster office with O2 executives and anti-mast campaigners.

The company has now written to the MP setting out alternative sites it is considering, and indicating that the Winterbourne mast is unlikely to go ahead.

Commenting, Steve Webb said:

"This is very welcome news. On any understanding of a precautionary approach to the siting of masts, it is undesirable to place them right next to a primary school.

"There was already evidence that the threat of the mast was discouraging some parents from applying to the school, so I am delighted that this threat appears to have been lifted.

"Great credit is due to the parents and governors who campaigned so effectively, and who worked so hard to persuade the company that there were other sites in the area which might be more suitable."