Campaigners in Amblecote and Brierley Hill claim victory after broadband company backs down
Campaigners fighting to stop an internet provider installing pole technology on their estate in Stourbridge are claiming victory after the company 'backed down.'
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Provider Brsk have removed the installation planning notices across the area of Withymoor, Amblecote and Brierley Hill after sustained protests and objections.
The issue has been running since June this year when residents formed teams to try and prevent workmen from installing the poles, which thee firm say would provide high speed internet and replace soon to be obsolete copper technology.
The Amblecote Campaign Team (ACT) residents group petitioned 72 streets and say nearly 99-per-cent of participating households or 1,328 residents did not want telecom poles in their streets.
Similar objections have been made at The Squirrels Estate in Halesowen and in the Kingswinford area – protests against the technology have been backed by MP Mike Wood and former MP Suzanne Webb
A spokesman for ACT said: "We would like to thanks brsk for listening. We are not against internet upgrades, however we reject antiquated telecom poles and overhead wires.
"This summer has seen widespread organisation among many residents across the area who have united to successfully halt pole deployment in this part of Dudley Borough. Residents want to protect the visual amenity and ecology of their home areas.
"Mass telecom pole deployment is a national issue that is facing increased resistance therefore the new minister for digital infrastructure, Sir Chris Bryant is meeting with providers during September.
Residents of Withymoor and Amblecote would also like to thank their hard working councillors including Kamran Razzaq for taking an active lead in supporting the residents campaign which has made it a success. They would like to thank their previous and new MP for both backing this campaign.
"If solely the existing underground infrastructure was utilised, then the residents would welcome back brsk and other telecoms providers, in bringing broadband competition to the area.
A spokesperson for Brsk said: "We take the concerns of residents seriously during the deployment of our network. In this particular instance, we will continue to provide our services to areas where we have been able to deploy infrastructure. But as we have been unable to upgrade the infrastructure in the entire area, there will be instances where we cannot service certain residents, many of whom have unfortunately been left disappointed, having already placed orders with us.
"By not being able to complete the full network, and essentially needing to leave ‘dead spots’, creates longer term effects, such as residents not having access to the infrastructure needed when the copper switch-off takes place in the near future.
"Brsk will continue to work towards helping to fulfil the government’s mandate to provide gigabit capable broadband services to all homes and businesses across the UK, providing the best connectivity option available to hundreds of thousands of homes."
