IT does make you wonder what exactly you have to do to make your voice heard where mobile phone masts are concerned.

News this week that Hutchison 3G has won its appeal for the site in Carnarvon Road, South Woodford, beggars belief.

For if ever there was a mega sensitive site in the country, it's Carnarvon Road.

During the last two years, the Guardian has highlighted the fears of residents living in the road who are annoyed at the siting of masts on the top of Forest House.

Several incidences of cancer were highlighted in the street, raising concerns that radiation from the masts was leading to illness among residents.

It caused so much concern that Redbridge Council commissioned the first ever study of its kind into possible links between cancer and masts.

Admittedly, there are several residents who believe the situation has been exaggerated beyond belief and wish to disassociate themselves with any talk of a cancer link.

But surely with even more mobile phones set to adorn the top of Forest House in Carnarvon Road, it must be a worry for all of them.

There has never been a 100 per cent guarantee that there isn't a link between cancer and masts, and residents across the country have been joining Carnarvon Road protestors in opposing the siting of masts on schools and near houses.

Companies like Hutchison 3G say that the introduction of more and most masts is essential to keep up with technology and to give the public the mobile phone service they demand, but surely they could it been a bit more thoughtful.

Really, putting the masts anywhere in the country other than in Carnarvon Road would have been a little more sensitive.

May 1, 2003 10:30