Two roadside verges in Hereford could be the latest spots for new strikingly tall telecoms masts.

Cignal Infrastructure UK, formerly CK Hutchison Networks (UK), plans to put up a 17-metre pole at Lyall Court near the junction with Siddons Road, Tupsley, and a 16-metre pole by the A465 Belmont Road, Hunderton.

Both would be taller than a typical four-storey building, and would have cabinets at the base.

The company, which operates the Three mobile network in the UK, has already made other bids, some unsuccessful, to erect new poles to provide 5G network connectivity in the city.

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Reports by property consultancy Dot Surveying accompanying the proposals say the design and siting of the poles “accords with (the) local authority’s critical role in delivering the UK Government’s digital connectivity vision”.

But the reports acknowledge: “The very nature of installing new 5G mast infrastructure within a dense urban setting requires a well-considered balance between the need to extend practical coverage with that of increasing risk of visual intrusion.”

The Tupsley location had been selected over six others in the area, rejected due to their nearness to housing or the narrowness of pavements, the report says.

The Hunderton site meanwhile was selected ahead of four others in the area.

Such poles need to be tall as 5G signals pass less readily through trees and buildings than those used in existing networks.

Accompanying declarations confirm that the masts comply with international guidelines on public exposure to radio waves.

Comments on the applications, numbered 224291 (Tupsley) and 224279 (Hunderton) can be made until February 1 (Tupsley) and February 2 (Hunderton).

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