‘Concerns over mast’
AS A long-term resident of Headless Cross, I am writing to express my concerns and frustrations relating to the National Grid planning proposal to construct a 30metre telecommunications mast next to the Headless Cross substation off Malvern Road.
This mast would tower above local houses and the residents have articulated their objections on the Local Authority Planning Portal, citing concerns relating to health, the environment and the local wildlife.
Also if this mast was to fail and this is possible, it is close enough to fall on any one or more of residential homes with families young and old who live there.
It is clear the National Grid have other options where they could locate this telecommunications mast but so far we do not believe it has seriously considered any of these.
The substation site is the easiest and cheapest option and National Grid owns the site.
However, absolutely no consideration has been given to the effect such a mast will have on the residents and the local area.
The continued use of telecommunications from the substation using the Headless Cross Water Tower have not been mentioned in the planning proposal.
Another location in Morton Stanley Park again was not seriously considered.
It is also clear our local authority councillors have been conspicuous by their absence in supporting us on challenging this proposal and the planning department seems more interested in process and neutrality than ensuring that significant structures like this mast are not built right in the middle of residential areas when other options are clearly available.
As public servants I would have expected better.
The local residents have been left to challenge this proposal alone, other than the efforts our local MP Chris Bloore is making to meet with the National Grid.
If this mast development is approved, it will be – in my personal view – a clear case of the National Grid imposing this on the local people and not seriously considering the other options or entering into any serious form of dialogue with the residents when requested to do so.
Charles Twigg
Headless Cross
‘Drained resources’
I WAS so pleased to see current county councillor Emma Marshall bringing up the problem with blocked gullies across our town.
Does this mean she plans to alert the county council to the several gullies and culverts I have reported since I became a borough councillor in 2022?
The most prominent being the culvert blocked with mud and debris in Painswick Close that I have repeatedly asked to be cleared but like many others, never have been.
I’d be so grateful that, with her newfound enthusiasm for drainage, perhaps she could sort that out.
Coun Juliet Barker Smith
‘Proud of out work’
IN RESPONSE to county councillor Emma Marshall’s letter in the Standard where she accuses the Environmental Services team of ‘forgetting’ to sweep the roads, I felt it was necessary to counteract this unwarranted attack with factual information.
The Redditch Borough Council Environmental Team have an active road sweeping programme and over recent months have invested in three new mini sweepers (fitted with weed brushes) to enhance this service.
There is also a team of street cleansers who undertake regular litter picking and the emptying of bins.
Redditch Borough Council is actively working with county council colleagues to ensure road gullies are cleared, so together – with the road sweeping schedule – we minimise the risk of flash flooding.
I’m sure Coun Marshall realises it is currently winter, and remembers two recent storms which have contributed to an increased workload.
I am very disappointed Coun Marshall feels it is appropriate to criticise council workers who take a huge amount of pride in their roles.
At a recent Performance Scrutiny Working Group, the team received a high amount of praise for its diligence and efficacy.
As portfolio holder I am proud of the work it does to keep all of Redditch clean and tidy.
It would be far more prudent – and professional – for Coun Marshall to report any concerns to Environmental Services. I trust she will do this in future.
Coun Sharon Harvey
Portfolio holder for Environmental Services
‘The real polluters’
I WOULD like to address the post by Extinction Rebellion last week.
Do they really think that by opposing the new runway at Heathrow will save the planet?
I’d like to know what planet they are on.
They talk of making it more expensive to fly for UK residents whilst pointing out that the well heeled are the ones that fly frequently, but by making it more expensive then only they would be able to fly.
Opposing one runway in UK whilst China are at present building 100 new airports.
I think their attention should be elsewhere other than attacking the British public who let’s face it deserve a well earned holiday abroad now more than ever.
These sanctimonious zealots with too much time on their hands need to address the real polluters of the world.
The UK at present puts out less than one per cent of the worlds Co2 and so is a minor on the world stage of polluters despite being a G7 nation.
Closer to home, Germany and Poland are the dirty countries of Europe so go there (walking/swimming obviously, not flying) and send us a postcard telling us how you got on.
M Jones
Crabbs Cross
We welcome your letters….
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EDITORS COMMENT
THE INCIDENT involving the 17-year-old girl who was struck by the off-road bike in Redditch should never have happened.
Through this paper and our website, the police have repeated warnings about the dangers of off-road bikes being ridden illegally.
Riders when they start these bikes up need to think about what they are doing and the impact their actions they can have.
We wish the teenager well with her recovery and back the police’s calls for anyone using motorised vehicles to make sure they do it safely and legally.
