Phone mast protesters call on MP for help

Oct 21 2009 By Rupert Basham

ANGRY residents set off to see MP Ian Taylor with a 3000 strong petition against a proposed 14ft phone mast that would be built by Esher train station.

Residents from Lower Green Road have been battling the application since it was first submitted to Elmbridge council by Vodafone in August 2008.

They fear that the erection of the mast and two 6ft high equipment boxes at the entrance of the alleyway, which leads to Esher train station and is owned by Network Rail, will provide a perfect hiding place for attackers and will severely affect the flow of commuter traffic.

Catching the train up to Westminster, the residents had a 10.30am meeting to hand a copy of the petition over to the MP for Esher and Walton in person.

A spokesperson for the residents, said: "We have managed to get about 3000 signatures in close to three or four weeks, by speaking to Esher and Walton constituents, parents and station users. It is an ugly application that would make the path, which is used by thousands much more narrow, and it is the only disabled access route to and from the station."

The plans were originally thrown out by the council in September 2008, on the grounds that the erection of the mast would fail to maintain a safe and secure route through the alleyway. However following an appeal in August, the mast has been given the green light to go ahead.

To gain signatures, residents constructed life size replica's of the equipment boxes and placed them at the front of the alleyway to show how they would affect the commuter traffic coming out of the station.

Residents are hopeful that an alternative location can be found for the mast either on land at Sandown Park or at an alternative Network Rail site.

A spokesman for Network Rail, said: "Railtrack made a commercial agreement with Vodafone, which Network Rail inherited when it was created five years ago. This contract enables Vodafone to site a limited number of telecommunication masts of railway land. Network Rail does not determine where these masts are positioned once it has been agreed that a given site is feasible and does not undermine the safe operation of the railway."