Councillor vows to fight surge of new telegraph poles in Lincoln

A councillor who stopped a surge of new telegraph poles in Lincoln says he’s planning to fight a new wave.

Telecom company Spring Fibre pulled out of Lincoln after angry residents campaigned in the Hartsholme area in 2023.

Now new poles are going up around the neighbourhood under Open Reach without residents being informed beforehand.

Independent Councillor Biff Bean, who represents Hartsholme on the City of Lincoln Council, led the original campaign and says he’s “livid” they are back.

“I’m appalled that this problem has raised its head again. Local people are against the unsightly and unwanted telegraph poles,” he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

“I will do everything within my power to get them stopped. I am currently having meetings with organisations and local people to see what we can do.”

Coun Bean said he has had reports from across the Hartsholme and Swanpool areas, and urged people to contact him if they see new poles in place.

About 1,400 people previously signed a petition against the new infrastructure, with former Lincoln MP Karl McCartney describing them as being “1950s style”.

Telegraph poles don’t require planning permission, but the companies must give 28 days notice to the local council.

Lincoln’s Labour MP Hamish Falconer told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I’m not against telegraph poles where they’re needed to provide faster internet for everyone and where there’s no other option.

“I’ve engaged with Open Reach to see whether this criteria is being met in Lincoln.

“I’ve heard concerns from a few residents around Hartsholme, and am happy to talk with local people who are concerned about this issue.”

A spokesperson for Openreach said: “We’re investing more than £12 million to bring Full Fibre broadband to Lincoln, giving more than 42,000 homes and businesses access to our most reliable and future-proof technology.

“Wherever possible, we use our existing infrastructure, such as current poles and underground ducts, to minimise disruption. In some cases, however, new poles are the only way we can deliver the benefits of Full Fibre.

“We understand this work may cause some inconvenience and we’re committed to keeping residents informed throughout. We always follow the required processes, including issuing notices where new poles are planned at least three months in advance.

“We work closely with the local council and listen to any residents’ concerns, taking these into account as much as possible.

“This investment is about future-proofing Lincoln’s connectivity and ensuring the community can benefit from faster, more reliable broadband for years to come.”