Vodafone mast will go live in weeks

A controversial mobile phone mast which sparked a campaign by residents and councillors in Telford to get it removed is due to be up and running in March.And Vodafone said it would be installing power to the structure in Malinslee in the next few weeks.

The work to the mast had been delayed while Telford & Wrekin Council consulted residents.

The authority had considered challenging a lease agreement Vodafone had over the mast but decided it could have faced "significant costs and damages" if the firm appealed.

The council had said it had "explored and exhausted all avenues" to challenge the agreement.

Dr Rob Matthews, of Vodafone, said: "We have a requirement to improve the 3G coverage to our customers in Malinslee.

"We believe the current solution represents the best option to meet this need and accordingly we intend to complete the installation.

"In mid-November, we delayed installing power to the site to allow the council to communicate with residents. This has now completed and therefore we will be installing power to the site in the next few weeks with the aim of bringing the site live by the end of the financial year."

Vodafone had been accused of failing to give the council 48 hours notice before starting work on the mast. The firm had told opponents it would down tools at the site until the issue had been resolved.