Furious residents protest against 50ft broadband mast erected by a outside their homes which ‘looks like a horrific rocket launcher’

• Families in Bolton, Greater Manchester, rallied against a 50ft broadband mast
• One of the protesters described the mast as a ‘horrific rocket launcher’

Hundreds of angry homeowners waved banners and placards in protest over a ‘horrific rocket launcher’ just outside their homes.

Fed up residents say the 50ft (15m) metal pole erected by telecoms firm IX Wireless is blighting their lives and demanded its removal.

The company insists the mast will offer locals in Bolton, Greater Manchester, far better access to ‘gigabit-capable broadband services’ as part of a rollout of high-speed internet.

But households say they have been angered that planning laws allow poles to go up without their consultation or permission.

Organiser Martin Henderson, said people across the country should oppose their ‘diabolical needless installation’.

Hundreds of angry residents protested after the installation of a ‘horrific rocket launcher’ style mast in Bolton

The ‘residents against IX Wireless’ group met after the telecoms company installed a metal mast ‘without consultation’

He said: ‘I’m gobsmacked at how many people showed up here today, there looks to be around 150.

‘The numbers show how real the concern is for residents who feel that this is not of any benefit to the community.

‘It isn’t even people from Bolton who have come here today, there are people here who are facing similar situations where they live and want to talk about what we can do to stop this.’

Julie Eaton, 59, travelled to the protest from nearby Middleton after discovering poles are being installed in her area – and said she had disrupted their installation.

She said: ‘We are about two months behind the residents of Bolton in terms of installing the masts but we expect that they will be installing those rocket launchers very soon.

‘One of the selling points of my street was that everything was underground, we didn’t have any hanging wires at all but that is about to change.

‘My neighbours and I have been parking our cars on the pavements to stop poles being put up but I wanted to come here today to see what is happening in Bolton and learn some more about what can be done.’

A spokesperson for IX Wireless said their industry was ‘heavily regulated’ and the council had been informed of where the poles would be placed.

Residents met at Morrisons Petrol Station before heading to the mast for a community meeting

They said: ‘The network delivers gigabit capable broadband services at a fraction of the cost of other broadband providers.

‘The roll out enables us to provide cheaper broadband to communities across the region.

‘The industry is heavily regulated and all structures go through stringent tests and conform to industry standards.

‘This also goes for the placement of the poles and the local council is aware of any work being undertaken.

‘Of course we are keen to improve our communications where we can, and in many towns and cities we have weekly meetings with council executives and elected officials to help resolve and communication issues.

‘It is our intention to look at sites within the vicinity that are being highlighted and see how we can improve our service to local residents.

‘Our intention is also to provide high speed internet access to communities and residents who may not be able to access it.’

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