ELEVEN new radio masts are to go up across the county in a plan Hereford MP Paul Keetch brands 'high-handed.'

Network Rail does not need planning permission to raise the masts. Mr Keetch says they should go underground.

The masts are part of a new train protection system being brought nationwide after the Cullen inquiry into the 1999 Paddington crash.

"We all want to see safer railways. I use the network myself almost every week, but the siting of some of these masts is inappropriate," said Mr Keetch.

"Network Rail could use a scheme that buries cables instead of masts, and an all-party group of MPs is seeing Transport Minister, Kim Howells, in October to press the point.

See sense

"If we have to have masts then they should be sited away from residential areas. Some of the masts are next to listed buildings and I am especially concerned about the proposed mast at Hereford Station, opposite Barrs Court School."

Mr Keetch has also contacted Herefordshire Council to see if it can negotiate the suggested sites. The council can demand an application under existing planning provision, but this process proves costly.

"I hope Network Rail will see sense - this affects almost the whole country and they should not be adopting such a high handed approach," said Mr Keetch.

l The Hereford Times has learned the locations of all 11 masts. They are: Cummins Farm, near Ledbury; Ledbury, Ledbury railway station; Tarrington; Hereford, Hereford railway station; Moreton on Lugg; Newton, near Leominster; Leominster, Leominster railway station; Orleton, Orleton Bridge; Callow, Haywood Lodge Bridge; Howton, Howton Bridge; Walterstone, Vinyard Farm.