Squirrels estate, Halesowen: residents unite against BRSK poles

More than 790 people living on the Squirrels estate have signed a petition against proposals from the firm to erect poles on the estate, which has 37 streets and 1,060 homes, as it rolls out full-fibre broadband.

They are being backed by James Morris MP and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, who praised residents for "coming together in an incredible way to challenge the activities of BRSK."

Councillors Andrea Goddard and Ian Bevan have met with BRSK, which says telegraph poles are "widely used within the industry, and generally accepted as the most effective, and most environmentally friendly option, to upgrade infrastructure."

Cllr Goddard, who lives on the estate, said: "I will fight tooth and nail against this - what's the point of having a consultation if no-one listens?

"We don't want telegraph poles blocking the skyline - it's a lovely estate without a single telegraph pole.

"They say they can't put it underground, but I want to see the proof. It's the cheap option to put up a pole.

"In the majority of roads we have 100 per cent of residents signing the petition and saying they won't use BRSK."

James Morris MP has written to the firm on residents' behalf calling for it to "ensure that all proposed works on the Squirrels estate are stopped as there is overwhelming public opposition to them."

He said: "Residents have raised legitimate concerns that these poles would not be in keeping with the visual appearance and character of this residential estate."

Residents across the estate are displaying posters and signs (Image: Handout)

Resident Estelle Scarth, who started the petition, said: "People are really upset and angry. 

"There's been no communication from BRSK so people have been having to contact the firm themselves - that's how they are finding out they will have large telegraph poles in their streets."

Jemma Doman, of Cotswold Croft said: "We don't want the poles, but they're just ploughing ahead."

A spokesperson for BRSK said it wrote to residents in February "notifying them work would commence in the near future" and community liaison teams started meeting people - they said "over 25% of residents have signed up to our communications to be kept updated on the progress of the build."

They said: "The teams are currently actively engaging with residents in the area who may be impacted by pole placements, as well working together with local councillors."

They added: "We have agreed to liaise with residents and ensure that we show them the infrastructure, engage further and start the build towards mid-June."

They said the firm was not halting work, saying: "The team has agreed to work closely with the councillors and residents to provide transparent information as the build progresses so that they are aware of the infrastructure that is possible to use and which isn’t, but work is continuing as planned."

BRSK is meeting with councillors and two residents from each street on May 15.