Confrontation over mast (From Gazette Series)

Confrontation over mast

CAMPAIGNERS against controversial communications masts in the centre of Dursley are again gearing up to confront county police chiefs.

A representative of Dursley Mast Action Group will be attending Monday's meeting of Gloucestershire Police Authority to renew the group's appeal for urgent action over the TETRA masts.

The three, six-metre tall communications masts on the British Telecom exchange building in Castle Street, which form part of a new digital radio system for the police called TETRA (terrestrial trunk radio), have been the centre of much debate since the system went live in the town last June.

Anti-mast campaigners claim more than 70 residents living nearby have experienced adverse health conditions since the masts were switched on.

Committee member Lynne Edmunds will be asking the following question during next week's meeting:

"What urgent action is the chief constable and the police authority planning to take over the critical public health situation in Dursley caused in four areas of the town by the low-level microwave emissions from the TETRA sited in the centre - and now disrupting the lives of at least 70 residents of all ages who are personally known to the committee of Dursley Mast Action?"

Police spokeswoman Claire Bolden said she did not want to pre-empt any response that may be given during the meeting.

The group has previously written to chief constable Dr Timothy Brain appealing to him to switch the masts off.

In a response on behalf of the chief constable in December Chief Supt Stephen Ackland told action group chairman the Rev Simon Helme that Gloucestershire Police Authority, and every other police authority in the country, had entered into a contract with mmO2 for delivery of the Airwave service.

He added: "As a result this system is now live within this county and we are committed to using it for the next 15 years.

"Removal of the Dursley antennae would create a hole in police communications in this area and this would seriously affect our ability to police ion the town, place police officers in jeopardy and cause mmO2 to be in breach of its contract."