“The proper place for broadband infrastructure is underground wherever possible, as it clearly should have been in Hedon.” – Graham Stuart MP
GRAHAM STUART MP has published a statement on his website which the Hedon Blog reproduces below, on tightening up on telegraph pole legislation. The spirit of the broadband rollout legislation is about winning communities over to its benefits, and clearly, that hasn’t been the case in Hedon, where community opinion has been trampled over!
According to the Beverley and Holderness MP, steps are being taken to make it much easier for companies to share infrastructure, and avoid unnecessary duplication of telegraph poles. Presumably, where companies like MS3 don’t seem to want to share existing infrastructure, it will be easier for local people to lodge complaints against them. Local authorities can also use their existing powers to hold companies like MS3 to account (see petition below).
Tightening up complaints on broadband telegraph pole legislation – Media release by Graham Stuart MP.
Following the intervention of Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, the Government is tightening up the complaints process covering the installation of telegraph poles for broadband roll-out after he conveyed the strong opposition of local people to the Minister.
Graham hosted Hedon campaigners in Parliament on 8th November, where he was left in no doubt that the ugly and often unnecessary poles are causing significant problems for the town, and that the proliferation of poles could be repeated across the country.
Sir John Whittingdale MP, Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, has assured Graham that the Government is listening to their concerns.
He stated that the Government will be introducing measures to “incentivise collaborative and constructive relationships between operators and site providers, and ensure individuals have a clear route through which to make their concerns known to operators.”
This repeats Graham’s assertion that companies should ‘play nice’ and share infrastructure wherever possible to keep the ugly poles to a minimum.
This is the first time the Government has stated that it is working on the problem, which is caused as a result of KCOM not being compelled to share infrastructure with comparable pricing and ease to Openreach.
Graham called on the Government to open up Openreach back in 2016 to provide fair prices for broadband. Sir John has stated that Ofcom is working with KCOM to facilitate new entrants’ use of its network.
This is a welcome step and will ensure that it is easier for companies to share infrastructure, therefore avoiding unnecessary duplication of telegraph poles, and make it easier for local people to complain if they do not follow these rules.
The Government has also written to Local Planning Authorities to encourage them to inform Ofcom if any companies are not adhering to their obligations.
Graham remains in regular contact with ERYC about this issue and that they are doing their part to ensure people across Beverley and Holderness receive fast and cheaper broadband in a way that protects their community.
This is the latest in a series of steps Graham has taken to ensure the concerns of local people are heard at all levels, which include: arranging a meeting between campaigners, MS3, ERYC and councillors; writing to Ofcom to request a market review of broadband in Hull and the East Riding; encouraging MS3 to not go into the Conservation Area in Hedon at all; encouraging new entrants to seek a pole or duct sharing agreement where possible and requesting that ERYC delay permits while discussions continue.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart commented: “We don’t want ugly and unnecessary poles in Hedon. The proper place for broadband infrastructure is underground wherever possible, as it clearly should have been in Hedon.
“So I’m delighted the Government is taking this seriously, and I’m grateful to the campaigners who have raised this at the highest level. Their tenacity has been the best of East Yorkshire.”
Petition to East Riding of Yorkshire Council launched:
Campaigners have today launched a petition aimed at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council (ERYC) calling for MS3 Networks to be reported to Ofcom (the telecommunications regulatory watchdog) and that their network rollout in the East Riding be halted until investigations are completed
The petition will be presented to the ERYC Full Council meeting on Wednesday, January 10 2024.
“We call upon the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to report MS3 Networks to Ofcom for its failure to go underground or to seek to share infrastructure underground or overground with KCOM. The rollout of the MS3 network MUST STOP until Ofcom investigations are completed.”
Click to sign: Report MS3 to Ofcom.
We had to switch Petition Providers due to unexpected costs. Be assured that those of you who have already signed have been counted.
I think every East Riding Councillor – whatever political group – should now see it as their duty to share both the new petition https://tinyurl.com/eryc-petition and the national petition https://tinyurl.com/647970 amongst their residents. Let’s see those petition numbers flying high!
There is nothing in this press release from our useless MP that will stop poles going up.
He claims credit for things that are nothing to do with him like protecting the Conservation Areas.
These new regulations will not be in place until next year. But they are not going to force sharing of infrastructure. We know MS3 have no intention of sharing. So when he says “stop issuing permits while discussions are ongoing” – he knows full well there are NO discussions going on.
Yes. As usual all we are getting is the usual window-dressing from this Tory MP. He knows the ERYCs hands are tied by legalities around the Permitted Development Rights that his Tory Govt brought in. MS3 have a green card to do what they want. In Hessle, MS3 started trenching their cables and then half-way through they switched to poles because its cheaper and quicker for them. Hessle Cllrs met MS3 on two occasions to try and get them to preferably either share KCom poles and trenches or stick to trenching. They have carried on doing what they want, even erecting poles in our Southfield Conservation Area.