Hedon: Victory for residents who objected to new broadband poles in Yorkshire town as installation is suspended

MS3 and their contractors are set to meet with East Riding Council officials today (Thursday, November 2) to discuss concerns about the installations.

A council spokesperson said works would only resume when they were satisfied necessary adjustments had been made to the pole’s deployment.

MS3 declined to comment on the suspension.

It comes as locals campaigning against the installations since early October have also welcomed the move.

The Going Underground campaign group said in a statement the installations had caused nothing but distress and disruption in Hedon.

The group has mounted efforts to stop the installations by blocking wagons carrying poles and protests while they were put up since the first deployments on Monday, October 9.

The demonstrations have seen Humberside Police officers called out to try and keep order.

Campaigners are set to make their case for tougher rules on the installation of broadband infrastructure in Parliament this month.

Changes in the law which classed broadband infrastructure as permitted development, meaning it does not require planning permission, have been blamed by campaigners for the installations happening without local consultation.

A Going Underground spokesperson said: “These companies, like MS3, describe themselves as Network Builders.

“It is a category of company that appears to have been operating below the radar and exploiting their unique status as apparently unregulated and unaccountable entities to force through the planting of telegraph poles in communities.

“This is not about bringing broadband to areas that don’t have it.”

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart also recently joined calls for an intervention into the dispute.

The MP has referred KCOM to Ofcom on competition groups and is trying to get MS3 and rival companies to share their infrastructure.

Mr Stuart added he had written to the minister responsible for telecommunications infrastructure John Whittingdale calling for companies to be forced to share if they cannot agree themselves.

But KCOM has said they have received no requests to use its poles or ducts.

Speaking on the suspension, the council’s spokesperson said it had taken the decision based on feedback from the local community.

They said: “The council has decided to suspend the ongoing works of MS3 for their project in the area.

“The council will hold a meeting with MS3 and their contractors to discuss the concerns and and seek to agree appropriate solutions.

“The works of MS3 will resume only after the council is satisfied necessary adjustments have been implemented.”

MS3 has previously said it follows all conduct rules and regulations when installing poles, including informing residents beforehand and giving them an opportunity to object on legitimate grounds.

A company spokesperson said: “We listen to all valid feedback on pole location, and residents can reach out via our website if they have any concerns.

“We appreciate conversations between local MPs, competitors and other members of government remain ongoing, and we’re happy to be a part of any wider discussion on pole deployment.”