Bolton: New phone mast planned for Stitch-Mi-Lane, Harwood

If approved the new 15m mast will be put up on Stitch-Mi-Lane in Harwood, Bradshaw along with six supporting antennas, a GPS module and three equipment cabinets.

This comes after a series of similar plans lodged all across the borough in recent months, many of which have proved to be controversial with residents and their representatives.

A statement from CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, which prepared the plans, said: “This site will enable 5G coverage to be provided to this area of Bradshaw.

“The government recognises that widespread coverage of mobile connectivity is essential for people and businesses.

The plans have been put before Bolton Council (Image: CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd)

“That is why the government is committed to extending mobile geographical coverage further across the UK, with continuous mobile connectivity provided to all major roads and to being a world leader in 5G.

“This will allow everyone in the country to benefit from the economic advantages of widespread mobile coverage.”

The plans will see the mast, antenna and equipment cabinets built on the pavement verge at Stitch-Mi-Lane and Longsight Lane in Harwood.

The company says that the mast will provide 3G, 4G and new 5G coverage to the surrounding area.

Previous locations in the nearby area had also been considered but discounted including land near Bolton St Catherine’s Academy, and Newby Road playing fields.

The statement said: “The radio base station will also meet the extra demands on the network in this area as more people use internet enabled handheld devices.

“It is a densification project for the operator’s network to fill holes in service provision including coverage and capacity.

“This will enable the operator’s customers to be able to use their handheld devices without calls being dropped or buffering occurring where there is a gap in the operator’s network coverage and capacity ability.

“A site in this location will fill the gap in service provision and provide high quality, reliable, advanced 3G, 4G and 5G to this urban area of Bradshaw.”

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But plans for masts have proven to be controversial in previous cases.

Earlier in March, residents in Harwood had turned out in a public protest against a mast installed in the same area by IX Wireless.

Similar proposals for masts have also been made around the borough over the last few months including at Horwich, Farnworth, Little Lever and Breightmet.

The most recent plans were put before the council on Monday March 27 and will be open for neighbourhood consultations until Tuesday April 18.

The local authority will then decide whether or not to approve the plans at a later date.