ANGER has a strong signal in Orpington as residents make their opposition to plans for a new phone mast loud and clear.

Phone networks O2 and Vodafone have asked Bromley Council for permission to install a 12.5 metre tall mast at the corner of Spur Road and Court Road.

The current mast in the area, which is on top of Orpington Fire Station, will be removed when the station is rebuilt at the end of next year.

Spur Road and Court Road residents have launched a petition to oppose the plans.

Steve Coster, who lives in Spur Road and is a retired BT business development manager, said: “We’re against the mast because it will be an eyesore.

“Also, I have concerns about radiation, although everyone says not to worry about that.”

The 62-year-old added: “I do not think they have looked at other suitable places to put this thing.

“We want to know why the mast cannot remain on the site of the station while the rebuild is taking place.”

A spokesman for Waldon Telecom Ltd, which submitted the planning application on behalf of O2 and Vodafone, says the Spur Road and Court Road site is the most suitable.

He said putting the mast there will “satisfactorily replicate the network coverage” provided by the mast on top of the fire station.

The council is expected to make a decision on the application at the end of this month.

A previous application for a 15 metre tall mast was rejected by the council in September last year.