More than 700 sign petition over Wolverhampton phone mast

More than 700 people have signed a petition against plans for a phone mast in Wolverhampton, which they claim would be a dangerous eyesore. Vodafone/02 has applied to install the mast in Finchfield Road West.

But campaigners battling the plans say they fear the structure, which would be almost 14 metres tall, could cause an accident by distracting drivers as they turn a corner. Bill Bough, of Birchglade, near the site, said more than 700 people had now signed a petition opposing the plans.

"You come around a corner and straight into a pedestrian crossing," he added.

"The mast will be on the bank as you come around the corner and will be an added distraction.

"I think that would be very dangerous."

The petition states: "The mast would have undesirable visual prominence against the skyline resulting in adverse impact to the character and appearance of the 'village green' of Finchfield shopping parade."

The document has been handed in to Wolverhampton City Council.

Dr Rob Matthews, media manager representing Vodafone UK, said the firm would "utilise the existing trees, street furniture and back drop of shops and houses" to help the proposed equipment blend in.

He said: "Masts are relatively low powered, covering a small area approximately half a mile in radius and therefore have to be placed close to where people want to use their devices.

"Prior to submitting the planning application in May 2012, we started a period of pre-application consultation where we wrote to Ward Councillors and the local school but we did not receive any feedback before submission. "

Dr Matthews said typical public exposures to radiation from its masts was "hundreds, if not thousands, of times" below tguidelines set by the World Health Organisation. The city council's planning committee is set to decide the scheme next month.