Anger at 80ft Network Rail mast in Cornwall

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Residents of a Cornish hamlet have called on Network Rail to stop construction of an 80ft radio mast near their homes.
The company has admitted not everyone living in Sandplace near Looe was told about the plan due to an "administrative error".
It claims the mast improves reliability and allows for 100% signal coverage.
But one resident, Derek Bolton, said the mast had been sited "on top of people's homes".
Steven Wright said the work was being carried out without any consultation with residents.
"They're doing everything by the back door," he said.
Network Rail have pledged to paint the completed mast green in an attempt to reduce its impact on the area.
Speaking on BBC Radio Cornwall Caroline Foster said she was concerned about the impact on the ecology of the area.
The radio waves were being broadcast on frequencies that would affect the local bat population and small vertebrates, she said.
Network Rail has insisted it is complying with an EU^» (European Union - about) safety directive and that the mast meets guidelines for power output, frequency and safety.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Network Rail stops work on 80ft mast in Cornwall

Network Rail has stopped work on an 80ft (24m) communications mast, after people living nearby said they were not told about the construction.

The company has apologised to residents of Sandplace, near Looe, Cornwall, and a month-long consultation has begun.

Network Rail said it was due to an "administrative error", but BBC News has been told of other cases where it appears residents were not told.

The company said it was happy to look into it and see what could be done.

Network Rail said the masts helped to provide a system for train drivers and signallers to communicate, and would reduce the risk of serious accidents.

Local resident, Steven Wright said the work had been carried out without any consultation with residents. "They're doing everything by the back door," he said.

Network Rail has insisted it is complying with an EU^» (European Union - about) safety directive and that the mast meets guidelines for power output, frequency and safety.

BBC News has been told the company does not need planning permission, but it is obliged to consult councils and MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament).

Network Rail has agreed to do no more work on the Sandplace mast until full consultations have taken place.

In another case, Michael and Jenny Cochrane said the company failed to tell them about a mast that was erected along the Truro to Falmouth branch line at Trewedna Hill.

Mr Cochrane said the mast was built within a day. "By lunchtime this mast was on the horizon, completely ruining our 180 degree view", he added.

Mrs Cochrane said, "It's a monstrosity. They admitted they should have contacted us."

[peterswest]

Just have a look around and open yr eyes !! All around the country these masts have been erected , has been going on a few years now ! Yes , most of them are eyesores , just look at the one put up at the golf course end of Par Docks , its huge !  Any complaints about that one .................... no !
 The railway has been crying out for a modern , digital , safe communications method and this is it , if the line isn't covered by this new radio system, there will be no line , which one do you want ?

Pete

[Tim]

Good to see that they are investing in this branch line. 

[molinnis]

Another mast making the local news. From the Cornish Times.



Anger over ^eyesore^ mast at station

Friday, 25 February 2011

Carrie Garrad

Residents of a Liskeard estate are seething after a 29m (95ft) mast appeared at the town^s train station over the weekend.
Network Rail has erected the mast as part of its plans to build a nationwide Railway Communications System which will enable direct communication between train drivers and signallers. The company, which is not required to seek planning permission for works carried out on the land it owns, contacted residents closest to the site in May and October and said it also sent letters to Liskeard Town Council and MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Sheryll Murray.
Trevillis Park resident Katie Swancutt, 27, was not informed of the plans despite others along her street being told.
She said: ^I woke up on Saturday morning and went to open my curtains as usual and without warning or consultation a 29m mast had appeared.
^After hearing the stories about Sandplace and Trewedna on the Falmouth branch line, I am amazed to see the ^back door^ technique used here in Liskeard as well. It is a monstrosity!^

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for posting that further story, molinnis.

If I may, I'll merge it with the existing topic - just for the sake of clarity and continuity.

Chris. 

[The Tall Controller]

you can now join the Facebook group to stop the mast at Sandplace! You can also see a few pics of what they think the mast will look like at the station.....http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Mast-at-Sandplace/137154806348030

[paul7575]

Waste of time.  The mast will have to be put up somewhere , firstly because it is permitted development, and secondly GSM(R) is a national policy requirement as the existing NRN^▸ (National Radio Network) frequencies have been reallocated for other purposes by OFCOMM.

Paul

[peterswest]

As I said in an earlier post , if the masts don't go up , you'll lose the train service in the near future , national coverage is required, no exceptions !
 I await the " Save the Looe valley line from closure" Facebook page soon
 What makes this different from anywhere else ?? OK , you live there , noone complained to the TWO masts put up in Luxulyan Valley last year why ? Because noone lives there

Pete

[RailCornwall]

A Satellite solution would have inevitably been more efficient and cheaper and less of a series of eyesores.

[Tim]

A Satellite solution would have inevitably been more efficient and cheaper and less of a series of eyesores.

Or more but shorter masts might be appropriate for sensitive locations

[MrC]

A Satellite solution would have inevitably been more efficient and cheaper and less of a series of eyesores.

Inevitably? Presumably that's a bit of a tongue-in-cheek comment?

The power required to get a signal back up to satellites from each train would require significant upgrades to trains that are already on their limit for additional kit like ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System.). How are trains going to have guaranteed two-way comms in bad weather, or in cuttings and tunnels? Don't forget that GSM(R) is a prerequisite for ERTMS so no signal = no trains. Plus it's unlikely that you'd be able to provide enough UK^▸ (United Kingdom)-wide contingency or ground cover from just one satellite so you'd need /at least/ two and probably more. Then there's the fact that satellites capable of handling enough channels for each and every train aren't going to be cheap (it's not just broadcast technology here).

So AFAICS^▸ (As Far As I Can See) satellites are a complete and utter non-starter.

[Tim]

So AFAICS^▸ (As Far As I Can See) satellites are a complete and utter non-starter.

I suppose a satellite is less likely to get nicked for scrap

[paul7575]

So AFAICS^▸ (As Far As I Can See) satellites are a complete and utter non-starter.

I suppose a satellite is less likely to get nicked for scrap

Unless those blokes who 'tarmac your drive, guv' develop their own space programme... 

[Hopefully that won't be seen as a non PC comment]

Paul

[JayMac]

[Hopefully that won't be seen as a non PC comment]

Depends. Are you using a Mac? 

<coat fetched>