Families' heath worries over mast
PARENTS are fearing for their children’s safety after a phone mast was erected on a neighbouring rugby field.
Residents of Hartshead Avenue, which backs on to Ashton Rugby Club’s ground, claim they were not told about the mast, which was erected two weeks ago.
Mum-of-four Elaine McCabe’s garden is next to the field.
“I was really shocked. Children play on that field and schools use it too and I wonder if parents have been made aware they are playing under one of those things,” she said.
“I’ve read articles about electromagnetic radiation — about incidents of childhood cancer increasing because of it. My garden is around 150m from the mast so I’m annoyed that I didn’t receive a letter warning me about it.
“There’s not been enough research done about these masts so they shouldn’t be putting them up anywhere near houses fullstop. There’s plenty of hills round here — why don’t they put them on there?
Tameside Council says it is only legally obliged to inform residents within four metres of any planned mast, but that on this occasion informed the 40 nearest houses, without any complaints being made.
Rugby Club secretary, Dennis Gee, said: “As far as safety, emissions from that — so we’ve been told — are about the same as when you use your own mobile phone. The mast has gone through three years of planning applications at the highest level possible.
“It’s a T Mobile mast, a massive company — they’re not just going to plonk one of these things down unless they’re sure it’s safe,” he said.
“If residents have any problems we want them to come in and see us at the rugby club. We don’t want any hassle, we want to get on with out neighbours.
“We’ll sit down and have a chat.”
A Tameside Council spokeswoman added: “This site was specifically chosen because it is furthest from local houses and near to existing trees to provide screening.” Eve Dugdale
First published by the Tameside Advertiser
© Copyright 2007 Guardian Media Group
http://www.tamesideadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/228/228743_families_heath_worries_over_mast.html
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=childhood+cancer
Residents of Hartshead Avenue, which backs on to Ashton Rugby Club’s ground, claim they were not told about the mast, which was erected two weeks ago.
Mum-of-four Elaine McCabe’s garden is next to the field.
“I was really shocked. Children play on that field and schools use it too and I wonder if parents have been made aware they are playing under one of those things,” she said.
“I’ve read articles about electromagnetic radiation — about incidents of childhood cancer increasing because of it. My garden is around 150m from the mast so I’m annoyed that I didn’t receive a letter warning me about it.
“There’s not been enough research done about these masts so they shouldn’t be putting them up anywhere near houses fullstop. There’s plenty of hills round here — why don’t they put them on there?
Tameside Council says it is only legally obliged to inform residents within four metres of any planned mast, but that on this occasion informed the 40 nearest houses, without any complaints being made.
Rugby Club secretary, Dennis Gee, said: “As far as safety, emissions from that — so we’ve been told — are about the same as when you use your own mobile phone. The mast has gone through three years of planning applications at the highest level possible.
“It’s a T Mobile mast, a massive company — they’re not just going to plonk one of these things down unless they’re sure it’s safe,” he said.
“If residents have any problems we want them to come in and see us at the rugby club. We don’t want any hassle, we want to get on with out neighbours.
“We’ll sit down and have a chat.”
A Tameside Council spokeswoman added: “This site was specifically chosen because it is furthest from local houses and near to existing trees to provide screening.” Eve Dugdale
First published by the Tameside Advertiser
© Copyright 2007 Guardian Media Group
http://www.tamesideadvertiser.co.uk/news/s/228/228743_families_heath_worries_over_mast.html
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=childhood+cancer
rudkla - 7. Jun, 14:09
