Mystery telegraph poles have sprung up in one of Greater Manchester's most desirable areas. The masts have been put up around Sale, Trafford, by independent full fibre broadband provider BRSK Ltd in the M33 area postcode area.
Three days ago, someone posted anonymously on the Sale M33 Facebook group that they had arrived to find 'this monstrosity right outside our [their] house'.
"Apparently they have the right to install these without consultation with residents, regardless of the true need for ultrafast fibre broadband, aesthetic damage to the area or property value," they wrote. "Have lodged a strong complaint, for what it's worth, but if this is a wider problem for Sale, perhaps it's one for our MP."
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Some of the replies were dismissive of the original poster's complaints. One said: "If they have the right to install these without consultation, then you are wasting your time complaining. They are virtually every road anyway."
Another said: "You'll have brilliant broadband speed though to take your mind off it." James McAinsh posted: "It's an age-old paradox. I want a faster network, but on my terms, or I support more green energy, but don't put one of those wind turbines in my field of view... personally, you won't even notice it's there after a few weeks."
Joe Murray agreed. He wrote: "There's one across the road from our house. It just exists. Give it six months and you won't even notice it." Thomas Reid opined: "You'll find more and more of these popping up as part of a plan to provide people with full fibre before 2025, people complain about poles but then complain about the lack of network infrastructure."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service visited Lynwood Grove, where a pole was erected on Tuesday. A printed notice attached to the mast said that it was 'electronic communications apparatus' installed under the Communications Act 2003.
It explained that people had the right to object to the apparatus if they were 'an occupier of, or have any interest in, any neighbouring land on or over which the apparatus is kept', and 'because of his nearness of the apparatus or that the 'enjoyment of the neighbouring land is capable of being prejudiced by the apparatus'.
But it went on to say: "You will not, however, have the right to object if the criteria referred to are satisfied if the apparatus a. replaces any electronic communications apparatus which is not substantially different, and b. is not in a significantly different position."
A resident whose house it was directly outside admitted she hadn't even noticed it. But her neighbour, Pat Goddard, 82, who has lived in her home for nearly 60 years, said: "It's an eyesore. It's not something I want to see when I'm looking out my window. I will definitely be complaining about it, and I think one or two of my other neighbours will too."
BRSK has been contacted for comment.
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