Mobile phone mast is felled in U.K.
http://www.expressandstar.com/articles/news/es/article_84450.php
Mobile phone mast is felled
Dec 16, 2005
An 80ft phone mast has been chopped down by
“professional” saboteurs in the middle of the night,
causing damage running into thousands.
Specialist cutting equipment was used to topple the
mast – as high as three double-decker buses – which
narrowly missed a road as it collapsed.
Phone giant Orange, which was planning to use the mast
near Sedgley, said it was lucky no one was injured as
the metal structure crashed down.
It was the second attack on the former NTL mast, now
owned by Arqiva. An arson attack caused £150,000
damage in 2003.
Residents in Gospel End, on the Dudley-Staffordshire
border, had battled to stop the mast going up in 2001
without success.
Orange had been planning to use it but as it had been
out of action since the arson attack its demolition
will not affect phone users.
Arqiva’s Bruce Randle was in no doubt that the mast
had been brought down deliberately. Mr Randle said it
would not have taken people who knew what they were
doing long to fell the mast.
He said:”It has been chopped down basically, someone
has cut the four corners and felled it.
“I think it has been done very deliberately and very
professionally by someone who knew what they were
doing.
“They must have had the right tools and must have
known where to cut – you cannot bring down one of
these things with a hacksaw.
“Fortunately no-one was hurt and no services have been
affected.”
Orange spokeswoman Sue Hammett said the company had
been aiming to get the network live before the latest
incident.
She added:”We do understand that people may have
concerns about mobile phone masts and the perception
of risk to health.
“However we wish to reiterate that any concerns should
be directed via the appropriate channels and not
through direct action.”
Ward councillor Michael Evans said feelings were still
running high in the area after a proposal to extend
the mast by 3ft was pushed through this year despite
further objections from residents.
Police in South Staffordshire are investigating.
Anyone with any information is urged to call 08453
302010.