by Residents in one Rossendale community are furious about the recent installation of broadband poles in the town. Abi Cadogan lives on Horncliffe Close and says there have been a number of broadband installations in her area.
After living in London, she says the family moved back to Rossendale for the scenic views – now ruined by the scenic poles. Speaking to LancsLive, Abi said: “That attitude was why we moved to Rossendale and they’ve just taken it. I mean it’s huge and I can’t even believe it’s not allowed they need planning.
“The council have been talking to me and they can’t do anything about it. It’s just a free for all.”
Living in a tight-knit community, Abi says her neighbors were not informed, nor asked about the pole’s installation. She says many of her elderly neighbors are upset by the “terrible 15ft pole”.
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Abi also recalls a neighbor who was refused planning permission for a two-storey house because the proposed development would obscure “our views”. She says: “There’s a huge job out there now.
“What’s the logic? I can’t say that’s right. That house would have taken up less space and taken up less of the view than this huge pole with cables attached. It’s frustration.”
The company behind the posts, brsk, is a UK provider of high speed fiber broadband. Although they argue that the installation of the poles is to provide a full fiber network to the areas where they are located, residents across the country have called for their removal.
“My kids, honestly, we had so many tears, everyone is really upset,” Abi said. “Actually it feels like they have stolen a bit of the sky. We used to sit and just look out of the window and you could see the whole hill. You could see the halo and you could see the whole profile of the landscape. Now you can’t because this huge thing is in the way.”
Abi’s other concern is the effect the post will have on house prices in the future. She explained: “Attitude was one of the main selling factors, and it will probably affect my house prices. Other people will want my opinion, but not with a huge pole outside.”
A spokesperson for brsk said: “As one of the UK’s fastest growing full fiber broadband providers, brsk is fully committed to the Government’s mandate to deliver gigabit broadband services across the country by 2030. This mandate can only be achieved by upgrade existing broadband infrastructure to full fiber – the fastest and most reliable type of broadband available.
“Currently, full fiber broadband is only available to around 60%* of the country’s homes, and historically residents have been misled into believing that their existing option is the most advanced – but not all options are which is advertised as a full fiber. These upgrades are therefore important to serve current and future generations, to future-proof the services for all.
“Our network is built within and on existing telecommunications infrastructure under a Code of Powers issued by OFCOM, using the Openreach PIA (Physical Infrastructure Access) Product. we need to upgrade the infrastructure to provide services for all residents.
“Pile planting is widely used in the industry where necessary, and is generally accepted as the most efficient and environmentally friendly option for upgrading infrastructure. A large amount of infrastructure may already exist underground, leaving no room for any new. infrastructure.
“Not only can opening trenches be very disruptive, this can pose a significant risk to other services in the ground, such as water and electricity, leaving residents without these while they are being repaired. The poles are placed in places that cause it least. impact on residents, and any potentially affected residents are communicated directly through our engagement process.
“Dedicated pole appointments were made to specific homes likely to be connected close to a telegraph pole site, in early March this year, as well as communications sent to local councillors. Following this letters were sent to all residents to in early April informing them of our construction process and our intention to start works.
“Full fiber broadband in an area is proven to increase home values, and it’s referenced here. We’re proud to be making Rossendale one of the best digitally connected areas in the country ahead of the national deadline. , and to create an opportunity for residents to get first class broadband now, while many parts of the country are patiently waiting for their turn.”
