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Block school mast - parents
Nov 18 2003
Neil Elkes, Evening Mail
Parents were today urged to fight against ANOTHER phone mast planned next to a city primary school.
A site earmarked by telecom giant O2 for the Tetra mobile network is next to Dorrington Road School, in Perry Barr, and parents are worried children could be exposed to microwave radiation.
The Tetra network being rolled out to police forces all over the UK has already sparked health concerns from the Police Federation.
O2 wants to put the mast on an industrial site in Baltimore Road at the back of the school.
The company has already caused controversy in Kings Heath by using an "emergency" loophole to put a mast next to a day nursery after the council refused planning permission.
Concerned parent Chris Smith said: "The erecting of phone masts right, left and centre is a worrying trend, with companies able to abuse legal loopholes to put them where they like.
"This is a ridiculous place to put a mast so close to a local school."
The issue is to be discussed at the Perry Barr ward meeting at the school next Monday at 7.15pm and O2 has been invited to send a representative.
Several hundred parents and residents have signed petitions raised by local Labour Party and Liberal Democrat activists.
Perry Barr ward chairman, Coun Jon Hunt said: "We have asked O2 to send their representative to tell us how this Tetra system differs from other mobile phone masts.
"I understand the frequency is very close to that used by the human brain and we are opposed to it being so close to the school."
Coun Hunt urged anyone concerned to attend next week's meeting.
