A borough MP has called for action after concerns from residents about the installation of telegraph poles across Bolton.

Bolton West MP Phil Brickell has branded the masts,  which have been put up around the borough by telecommunications companies, including IX Wireless, as “inappropriate eyesores”.

(Image: Public)

The installation of the masts have led to public protests and discontent among residents. One mast, which was put up in front of The Old Post Office on Bradshaw, which is a historic listed building in Bolton, was removed recently.

And a resident protested a mast outside his home on Hardy Mill Road in Harwood by sitting on a chair outside his house to prevent it from being installed.

 Although the poles are classed as “permitted development” and therefore do not need planning permission before they can be installed, locals have voiced frustrations at not receiving a warning prior to installation.

Mr Brickell has taken to social media to share a letter he received from the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, Sir Chris Bryant MP, which acknowledges the “strong feelings some communities up and down the country has on this issue” and reinforces the notion that “operators should share existing infrastructure where necessary".

(Image: Social media/ Phil Brickell)

Sir Chris' letter said: “I wrote to UK network operators and called them to share existing infrastructure as the default approach and to install underground wherever possible before deploying new telephone poles.

(Image: Social media/ Phil Brickell)

“I have also asked them to consider revising the cabinet sitting and pole sitting code of practice to consider communities’ concerns and made it clear that the government will not shy away from exploring the changing law, should companies fail to listen to communities.

“I have strongly addressed the urgency of the situation and made it clear that I reserve the right to take further steps if insufficient progress is made on a voluntary basis.”

Sir Chris added that he will “not rule out changing the current regulations, should it become apparent that industry cannot meet the challenge".

(Image: Public)

He added: “The local planning authority they can refer these complaints to is Ofcom is independent of the government. They have stated that they would investigate any cases where poles are not consistent with the legal requirements and guidelines in place – including where they block residents’ drives or where operators systematically fail to engage with local planning authorities’ suggestions.”

The council has brought in more than £150,000 from fining telegraph pole companies over a period of 20 months, beginning at the start of this year.

Mr Brickell said: “I have long opposed permitted development rights allowing the free for all we have seen in recent years.

"I am pleased that the new minister has listened to concerns and is exploring all options to ensure my constituents are protected from ugly masts popping up on their streets.

“I will be attending a face-to-face meeting with the minister to make my constituents' views clear that we need strong regulation on the kind of broadband infrastructure we have seen popping up.’

IX Wireless has been approached for comment.