Street protest over mast plans

Angry residents today packed into one of Shrewsbury's main shopping streets in protest at controversial plans to build a communications mast in a village.Protesters from Bicton waved placards and handed out leaflets to passers-by in the town's Pride Hill as they stepped up their fight against the proposed 12-metre high mast.

They were joined by Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski who has vowed to bring the matter up in Parliament following concerns over planning regulations for communications and phone masts.

Airwave Solutions has identified the site in Calcott Lane, Bicton, under a scheme to create a new national digital mobile network for the emergency services.

But residents say they are furious at the plans and claim the Tetra mast could cause childhood cancers, infertility and neurological disorders.

One campaigner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "To say we are outraged is probably an understatement and we will not take this lying down."

David Greenaway, another protester, hit out at the consultation carried out by Airwave and claimed the mast would put people's lives at risk.

He also claimed the residents were not receiving the support of their ward councillor, John Cooke, who he said had failed to respond to e-mails and was not present at today's protest.

Mr Kawczynski addressed residents at the protest and praised them for their campaign.

He said: "I am absolutely appalled at this mast and the government's regard to planning for masts which gives councils little power to prevent them - that's a serious issue because it should be down to local councils to make these decisions.

"It's important that everyone supports you against this mast and makes very strong representation to the council. It's absolutely vital that Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council works with me to stand up against the government on the policies within this issue."

Mr Kawczynski said he would request an Early Day Motion on Monday and would also be approaching the speaker of the House of Commons for a debate.

By Russell Roberts