In These New Times

“We don’t conduct our own research into the health effects of masts and have to rely on advice from the Health Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation. They tell us there are absolutely no issues with health from mobile phone masts and that no more research will be carried out into it.”

Relying on the Health Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation is clearly inadequate. The companies have carried out their own research but it produced unfavourable results. There is a wealth of pear-reviewed scientific work showing ill effects which the companies can access just like anyone else. They must bear responsibility for thishealth disaster in the making and the insurance companies won’t be there to bail them out.

“They are more interested in the impact of handsets, which are hundreds of times more powerful.

“The children will be exposed to more electro-magnetic waves from their computers at school than the mast.”

This is standard O2 argumentation. There is a sudden surge of exposure as the mobile connects to the cell. The comment about computers would only be true if the computers were wireless. But what would higher or lower exposure matter if these radiations are completely harmless?

This Is Staffordshire

5th May, 2010

A PROTESTER was arrested at a demonstration to stop a mobile phone mast being built.

Alan Cheetham, a member of the NO2O2 campaign group, was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of obstructing a police officer as the group tried to stop workmen installing the 32-foot mast in Crewe.

Campaigners had gathered at the site, at the junction of Valley Road and Readesdale Avenue, from around 6am, as workmen from mobile phone giant O2 arrived.

Mr Cheetham from Valley Road, was last night being questioned by officers.

It is understood he was moving a caravan, used as a campaign headquarters that had been parked on the work site, into the road when he was arrested.

Campaigners remained at the site until around 4pm, but workmen managed to start digging to lay the foundations for the mast. Work is expected to continue today.

The campaign group has been fighting the mast since it was approved by Cheshire East Council in July last year.

Ernie Jones, a member of the group who lives in Dane Bank Avenue, said: “We are very disappointed they have started work. We have been fighting this for a long time and . We will continue to protest the best we can.”

Campaigners say they are worried for the health of children, as the mast site is close to a number of schools and nurseries including St Thomas More Catholic High School, Vine Tree Primary School, Dane Bank Pre-school, South Cheshire College and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.

They say they were not properly consulted and their complaints, including a 300-signature petition, are being ignored by the council.

Protester Sarah Campion, aged 35, lives 50 metres from the site, in Valley Road. The mum-of-two said: “The council ignored our protests so residents decided we needed to try to stop it ourselves.

“They have been to install it four times, and on each occasion time we have stood in their way.

“It is in the middle of five schools and they haven’t taken that into consideration.

“There are children sleeping within 200 metres of this site and they are the most susceptible to any radiation that might be given off.

“My children will have no escape from it because they live here and go to school here. They will be exposed to it 24 hours a day.”

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “A mobile phone mast is being erected, which is legitimate development work. A group of local people who are unhappy with it are conducting what is largely a peaceful protest.

“One man was arrested for obstruction because a caravan was being pushed into the carriageway and he failed to desist when asked to by an officer.”

A spokesman for Cheshire East Council said: “The proposal was considered by the council’s southern planning committee and was fully debated in public before a decision was made. O2 therefore have the necessary planning permission to proceed with this development.”

An O2 spokesman said: “We are trying to improve communications for the people of Crewe, not only now but in the future.

“We don’t conduct our own research into the health effects of masts and have to rely on advice from the Health Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation. They tell us there are absolutely no issues with health from mobile phone masts and that no more research will be carried out into it.

“They are more interested in the impact of handsets, which are hundreds of times more powerful.

“The children will be exposed to more electro-magnetic waves from their computers at school than the mast.”