Bolton: Three responds to calls for 5G masts to be improved

The pole was installed on a plot of land well used by the community to mark important days, upsetting local residents. '

Ward councillor, Hilary Fairclough branded it 'a dreadful blot on our landscape' and called for it be camouflaged in some way.

The mast has been erected on a small plot of land where Andrew Lane joins Blackburn Road in Astley Bridge

The land is used for displays at significant times of the year, and it is currently home to a Remembrance Day tribute.

Councillors and residents want to the look  of the 5G mast and its accompanying cabinets that were installed improved.

A spokesperson for the owners of the mast, mobile phone giant Three, said: “Access to 5G has a vital role to play in boosting local economies like Bolton, helping residents and businesses get faster and more reliable network coverage.

“This is why we’re working with the council to roll out the UK’s fastest 5G network so that we can keep everyone connected both now and in the future.

READ MORE: Astley Bridge councillor wants internet mast eyesore improved

“While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they do need to be situated near to where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.

“We have carried out extensive searches and evaluated a wide range of options before submitting this planning application.

“The council will have considered all comments made during the planning application.”

The 5G masts and cabinets (Image: Cllr Hilary Fairclough)

The company say it would have to apply for separate planning permission to now alter its appearance.

Cllr Fairclough said: "I have tried to get them to speak to me on a number of occasions but so far nothing has come back, just a vague 'someone will contact you'.

"I wasn’t asking for them to remove the mast or cabinets, just to try to work with us to try to make them more aesthetically pleasing and to fit in more with the area.

"I think planning permission is a red herring because I have been working with planning who have never mentioned that changing the colour or wrapping them in something that blends in would necessitate planning permission. And even if it does, so what? We can apply and put forward our ideas.

"It is so selfish to just dump something like this in a well used community area without a backward glance."

READ MORE: Bolton MP receives donation from IX Wireless

The masts were previously mistakenly claimed by IX Wireless, who said that they would be happy to work with the community.

IX Wireless are responsible for a number of telegraph poles and masts that have recently gone up throughout the borough.

It has been contacted for comment.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18