MP wants action over police mast (From Gazette Series)

MP wants action over police mast

THE CENTRE of Dursley has come under the national spotlight as Stroud MP David Drew brought residents' concerns about a controversial police communication mast before the Commons.

Campaigners against the three, six-metre tall communications masts on the British Telecom exchange building in Castle Street claim more than 70 people have reported adverse health effects since the masts, which form part of a new digital radio system for the police called TETRA (terrestrial trunk radio), went live in June.

Mr Drew cited the Dursley case during a debate on mobile phone masts and their impact on health last week.

After the debate Mr Drew told the Gazette he had been growing increasingly frustrated with the TETRA situation in Dursley and Stroud.

"This has been going on for over two years," he said. "Those responsible for the masts have not been doing what they promised they would from the outset."

Mr Drew said he supported the need for a new police radio system and understood there are no proven health concerns. But he argues there is a strong perception of health concern, which could have been eased by more transparency.

He said by speaking during the debate he hoped to make O2 Airwave, the company responsible for the installation of the mast, and the police recognise that it is a real issue for people living in the shadow of the masts.

"I want the police and O2 Airwave to go back to what was agreed from the outset," he added. "We were told we would be kept informed and that the masts would be monitored. As far as I can see this has not happened and I want action."

Mr Drew said now the issue has been thrust into the national spotlight he is starting to get some answers.

"I am starting to finally get some response now," he added. "But it is a little bit late. We needed assurances that what we had agreed would be stuck to much sooner."

Mr Drew will be meeting Gloucestershire police later this month and hopes to meet O2 Airwave representatives in the near future.

A copy of Mr Drew's full speech can be read via the UK Parliament website at http://www.parliament.uk/hansard/hansard.cfm

DURSLEY Mast Action Group claims it has received 70 reports of adverse health affects from people living in the immediate vicinity.

One resident has taken drastic action to protect her family from problems she claims only began when the TETRA mast was installed.

Suzanne Everdell, of Prospect Place, said she believed the only way she could stop the constant sleep disruption the family were experiencing was to install £150 worth of nickel-plated curtains on her windows.

"Within months of the mast being installed we began suffering sleep loss," said Mrs Everdell. "It was not normal sleep disruption - we all felt as if we were being shocked awake and it was happening around six times a night. Since we have put the screens up the problem has greatly reduced."

Mrs Everdell, who is action group treasurer, said she is not alone in her experiences and she was glad people are finally starting to take notice of the problem.

"We feel David Drew is finally coming on our side," she added. "There seems to be no honesty surrounding the mast and lots of people feel as if they are being fobbed off and ignored."

Mrs Everdell added Mr Drew's input should help to raise the profile of the campaign.

"O2 Airwave and the police have been sticking their heads in the sand," she added. "But it is not just going to go away. As the pressure increases something will have to be done. Clearly lots of other people are in a similar situation and now the campaign is gaining a higher profile the government and the company are going to have to start taking us seriously."

The mast action group is appealing for funds. Anyone who may be able to help is asked to contact chairman the Rev Simon Helme on 01453 542344.

DESPITE claims that over 70 people have experienced health problems since the mast was installed one Dursley doctor says he have not noticed any increase in the number of patients attending surgery with mast-related health concerns.

Dr Tim Frankau, of May Lane Surgery, said he was not aware of patients attending surgery to report such problems.

"I am not aware of the large numbers of people reporting these complaints," he said.

SINCE winning the contract from the Home Office to provide a new, national police communications system O2 Airwave has installed 2,200 masts across the UK.

Responding to last week's Commons debate, O2 Airwave spokesman Josh Berle said the company has undertaken a number of emissions tests of masts across the Stroud district.

"All of these have demonstrated safety compliance by thousands of times," he added. "We believe however, that such testing is more appropriately conducted by independent bodies, such as OFCOM."

Mr Berle added that the company does appreciate there is a heightened level of concern about masts in Dursley and Stroud.

"Before building the masts we undertook extensive consultation and are happy to continue dialogue," he added. "In the meantime, we are pleased Gloucestershire Constabulary has received Airwave and is already seeing the benefit."

Members of Dursley Mast Action Group plan to address Gloucestershire's police chief during this month's police authority meeting.

According to treasurer Suzanne Everdell, the group will ask Chief Constable Timothy Brain what action he plans to take over the Dursley mast.

A police spokeswoman said the action group has not currently registered a question for the meeting.

She added police had no further comment at this time.

STROUD MP David Drew told the Commons debate his main concern over TETRA in Dursley and Stroud was the way the system was put in place.

"More inappropriate places could not have been chosen," said Mr Drew.

Speaking about the Dursley mast, Mr Drew said there were a number of places the mast could have been positioned.

"But it was decided to put it slap bang in the middle of Dursley," he continued. "I was unhappy from the outset."

Dursley Town Mayor Cllr Timothy Frankau told the Gazette, although he could see both sides of the argument, he thought too the mast could have been better sited.

"I think a compromise would have been to put the mast somewhere discreet like in hills surrounding the town," said Cllr Frankau. "I can see why O2 Airwave put the mast where they did. Obviously it was the option that cost the least and was easier to install there."