Final bid to fight decision on mast

Protesters were today beginning a last-ditch attempt to stop telecoms giant Vodafone siting a mobile phone mast near their homes in Telford.Residents in Malinslee and Dawley Bank have launched the petition calling on Telford & Wrekin Council to rethink its decision to allow the mast to go up on land near Malinslee playing fields.

Concerns have been raised on health grounds amid fears the mast will be too close to a BMX track used by children and young people.

The petition was launched yesterday and has already attracted more than 60 signatures.

Campaigner John Minshall, of St Leonards Place, Malinslee, said the petition could be signed in shops in both areas.

"It's a bad idea to have this mast so close to residential areas," he said.

The council's plans board passed the plans in December 2006. Council spokeswoman Laura Taylor, said: "Provided the development keeps within the conditions of the application, it has permission to go ahead."

Work on the 15m high mast off Dawley Green Way is due to begin in a fortnight.