Published: Friday, 30th January, 2009 12:30pm

Uproar as mast given go-ahead

by Roisin McGroarty

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THE green-light has been given for a phone mast to be installed in Holmston despite locals warning that it"s a 'health hazard.'

Councillors have decided on placing the 12 metre pole next to homes and Kyle Academy at the north side of Holmston Road with promises that will boost the area"s broadband and mobile phone signals.

Several residents had objected about the visual aspects and safety implications of Vodafone"s mast on council grounds with several attending last Thursday"s regulatory panel in protest.

Jack Fergusson of Overmills Road spoke at the meeting for all the objectors, saying: 'Health and safety, whilst there is doubt about the radiation I think in this case to adopt a consideration as it"s near to dwellings and a major school. You should try and site it in industrial areas.

'Recent roadworks have made the area worse rather than better and it"s a bit of a waste of council money. It is also a target for graffiti.

'There is an alternative site just east of the A77 which is a large lattice tower certainly capable of carrying more aerials. Unfortunately that mast is held by o2.'

However a representative from Vodafone explained that all other sites had been looked at and deemed not suitable but added that the company could look into planting trees as a screen.

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