Health concerns about Marsden mast

Jul 14 2009 by Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WORRIED mum Sarah Topping is concerned about a plan to put up a mast near her home.

Network Rail want to erect the communication mast close to her house on High Lea in Marsden.

Sarah is concerned about possible health risks to her children Jamie, 2, and six-month-old Zoe.

She said: “I’m worried at how this will affect my children.

“Network Rail are trying to assure us there are no health risks, but that’s unproven.”

Sarah, 35, added: “The mast would be 30 metres from our bedroom window.

“I’m worried how this will affect the value of our property. As someone with small children, I wouldn’t move to a house so close to a mast.”

Network Rail plans to install the 15 metre mast to improve communication between train drivers and signal boxes on the Huddersfield to Manchester line.

The organisation doesn’t need planning permission for the mast, as it’s a safety matter.

But Sarah believes there are better locations.

She said: “I’ve spoken to four of the other six households on High Lea and we’d all be happier if the mast was further away.