This technological aggression is serious

Thursday 5th November 2009, 3:00PM GMT.

From Daniel Sheil.
THE proliferation of telegraph poles in our Jersey fields continues and your correspondent Adam Knowlson has raised the matter once more in his letter of 27 October.

This is a technological aggression which disfigures certain areas of the Island and it is extremely serious. It is a further step in the gradual erosion of our natural beauty which is leading to a change in our way of life. The repercussions on the Jersey tourist economy are obvious.

Jersey Telecom assures us that there is no danger to the public from their masts. However, certain families will not accept living close to one and are prepared to move away at great expense and inconvenience.

One such family left Victoria Village when a mast went up near their home some years ago. They will be interested to know that a second mast has been applied for in the very next field.

In spite of constant reassurances, the long-term effects of these masts are still not known. We all thought that asbestos was safe.

Apart from telegraph poles and equipment cabinets, agricultural land is being looked at seriously for various types of speculative development.

Fields can be allowed to deteriorate so badly that any application would be an improvement. Glasshouses can be allowed to crumble for the same reason.

Our Planning and Environment Department has the enormous and difficult duty of protecting our beautiful Island.

1
Judge Jeffries

November 5, 2009 at 3:46 pm

Newsflash for Mr Sheil. The States have agreed to let a fourth mobile operator into the island- they just haven’t bothered to come clean about it. So get ready for another 40 masts anytime now.

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2
bob

November 5, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Mobile phone use wwas always “safe” we were told – now Official long term studies show otherwise.. Google it.

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3
FUBAR

November 5, 2009 at 5:01 pm

Don’t forget the telegraph pole and equipment cabinet on the end of St Aubin’s south pier. Which I have been told, the pier is an SSI…
Or It was.

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4
Magnolia Man

November 5, 2009 at 6:02 pm

May one remind Mr Daniel Sheil that not a single “telegraph” pole has been erected in Jersey since 1923?

If he refers to mobile telephony masts, I must ask him to produce definitive evidence of any deleterious effects that may be definitely ascribed to them.

Mr Shiel’s tale of a family leaving Victoria village is purely anecdotal. For all we know, the family may have left that location for a bigger home.

Evidence that can be **proved** is essential. Hearsay or unsubstantiated stories are foolish.

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5
Udupi

November 5, 2009 at 8:56 pm

This NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) attitude is endemic with the Jersey chattering classes.

I hope that Daniel Shiel will not have the gall to complain about poor mobile telephone reception at any time in the future.

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6
Adrian

November 9, 2009 at 5:44 pm

Magnolia Man and where is the evidence that they are 100% safe?

Does anyone really think having four operators in Jersey is viable for business and pleasing on the eye besides any possible side effects being magnified by four?

What happens when the state owned company’s profits get severly hit? Who will make up the short fall in tax revenue? At present all profits beyond those needed for reinvestment are given back to the states. Where will most of any profits from the private companies be going?

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7
joker

November 10, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Whilst I’ll agree there needs to restrictions for the sake of the environment anyone with a NIMBY attitude (including those on the HYS) should ditch their mobiles and internet immediately and stick to traditional methods of communication. Not to do so is hypocritical. The reasons these masts are close to residential areas is because the residents are the ones using them.

If you’re concerned about this type of technology where do you draw the line as most of it hasn’t been around long enough to ‘fully test’? You should consider also turning off your Wi-fi, never use cordless landline phones, never use your microwave,. In fact you may want to steer clear of anything transmitting EMC which happens to include combustion engines TV and radio. Then there’s the radiation emitted by granite…

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