Pictures: 50ft phone mast shock for Wolverhampton residents
[gallery order="DESC" columns="4"] At almost 50ft high – this towering pole had nearby residents scratching their head after appearing in their Wolverhampton street.
The towering phone mast has been installed by Vodafone, alongside the A41 Tettenhall Road, opposite the Newbridge pub.
It is to provide fast 4G services to both Vodafone and O2 customers in the area and the firm says it consulted 'extensively' when it applied for planning permission for an even bigger mast last year.
But some residents and businesses insist they were not expecting it and have been left dismayed by its imposing appearance.
The concerns have triggered action from the area's councillor who arranged for a council officer to inspect the phone mast to ensure it falls within planning guidelines.
Councillor Craig Collingswood, who represents the Park ward, said: "I have to say I am a bit shocked by this. For local residents if there is suddenly something big then they are not going to be too happy."
"You can see it as you approach the Rock heading into town."
Costas Xiourouppa, who owns nearby the Newbridge Fish & Chips, said a sign was put on a lamppost but that the size of the mast has taken many of his customers by surprise.
He said: "The general consensus is that it is massive and nobody expected it. I did see something on the lamppost but I didn't expect it to be of that magnitude."
A spokeswoman for Vodafone claims that the mast is designed to blend in with its surroundings.
She said: "We originally applied to install a 17.5 metre mast in 2015 and we carried out extensive consultation at the time.
"We wrote to 29 residential properties and all ward councillors.
"However, we took the decision to withdraw this application and submit a request for a smaller mast at 15 metres. Approval for this was granted by the council.
"This new mast will provide fast 4G services and greater capacity to both Vodafone and O2 customers locally, and is designed to blend in with existing street scene."
Vodafone added that they did not consult on the smaller mast as it was a "design change" only.
A Wolverhampton council spokesman said: "Vodafone are responsible for this mast, which was granted planning permission in May 2015.
"Prior to approval residents and businesses were consulted about the mast and there were minimal objections."
