Earley Residents Concerned About Mast Location

Residents raise concern over the safety and visual impact of a 5G tower in an Earley Park.

13:01 16 October 2020

Earley residents are concerned over the safety and visual impact of a 5G tower in Sol Joel Park on Church Road. 

 

The application for the construction of the 5G mast states that the infrastructure is needed to improve train services. Residents said that although they support the project, there is a better location for the 5G mast as the proposed location is within close proximity to St Peter's school and a play area.

 

Cllr Andrew Mickleburgh, Lib Dem for Earley, said: "A formal proposal has been received by Earley Town Council to erect a 5G telecommunications mast on the northern edge of Sol Joel Park.

 

"Earley Liberal Democrats support the government’s drive to improve telecommunications coverage. "However, it may be the wrong location for this mast.

 

"We believe the mast seeks to enhance the 5G network for train users, but that land exists alongside the railway line that could be used instead of encroaching into our park.

 

"We share residents’ concerns including: the visual impact; closeness to the play area and St Peter’s School; and proposed location within a park dedicated in trust for use by the public for the purposes of recreation and having Fields in Trust status.

 

"To help ensure an informed decision is taken, we have requested a high-quality visual representation of how the mast would look.

 

"We are also looking at the legal agreement between Reading Borough Council (the freeholder) and Earley Town Council (leaseholder) with respect to what might not be permitted within the terms of that agreement.

 

"We will be urging the Town Council at its meeting to issue a detailed press release on the outcomes of its discussions at that meeting and to place a copy on the Town Council’s website.

 

"I shall also keep residents informed via local Facebook groups."