PHONE MAST DEBATE MUST INVOLVE THE COMMUNITY - KRAMER

6.20.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 1st Nov 2004

Mobile phone companies are currently discussing additional masts with Richmond Council as part of their planning for 2005 and Susan Kramer, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Richmond Park, says it is time to change the system.

"Consultation on phone masts often comes too late after the sites have been identified. Most people are unaware of the likelihood of new masts going up in their area.

"In Kew, the local community brought common sense to the situation by persuading the phone companies to work together to put a shared mast in the Campanile at Kew Gardens. So we ended up with one new mast rather than fifteen scattered across the area.

"The recent consultation meeting on plans for new masts in 2005, held at York House on Oct 27, did not go far enough to involve the community. Instead of an "invitation only" meeting, the Council and the mobile phone companies should hold a public meeting open to all.

"We need a wider debate and broader participation from residents so that they can hear first hand what is going on, contribute to the discussions and be heard by the phone companies and local Council."