Shared Rural Network - telecoms mast position statement

The John Muir Trust, Mountaineering Scotland and eight other organisations representing community, environmental and outdoor recreation interests, have signed up to a shared position statement in response to the UK Government's Shared Rural Network programme. 

The Shared Rural Network programme is a collaboration between the UK Government and four big mobile phone  operators (EE, O2, Three and Vodafone) which aims to achieve 95 per cent 4G mobile phone coverage across Britain. The approach to achieveing the coverage is target-led, top-down and failing to consider whether people living in rural areas need the masts. 

After setting out concerns, the position suggests ways that the programme can be improved. In summary, these are: 

• Consult with rural communities to establish their needs first
• Avoid constructing new access tracks unless no other method is possible
• Adequately resource Local Planning Authorities
• Avoid the UK’s most sensitive wild places
• Insist the operators share mast infrastructure, rather than building adjacent masts.

The full position is available to download below.