FROME Town Council is to vote this week on a proposal that the council should oppose the roll out of 5G in the town because of health concerns.
Offering a faster internet connection to mobile devices, with speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, 5G has been made available in a limited number of cities across the UK. More cities and towns in the UK are expected to join the 5G network later in the year.
However, the town council reports that as 5G is transmitted at a much higher frequency than 4G, there are concerns about the health impacts on humans and the environment caused by ‘unsafe’ wireless radiation levels.
Town clerk for the town council, Paul Wynne says, “There is not unanimity within the scientific community that 5G is safe and in County Cork, Brussels, and Geneva, 5G roll out has been halted through the application of the precautionary principle until independent, and not industry-funded research confirms 5G is safe.
“Frome Town Council has no power to permit or halt the rollout of 5G if it reaches Frome. Glastonbury Town Council are in the same position, but have decided to adopt the precautionary principle too.”
The town council has also expressed concern about the need for more antennas in the area for the 5G network.
“In addition, the higher frequency used in 5G does not penetrate objects as easily at 3G and 4G,” explains Paul. “As a result, antennas would be required every few hundred metres. This has sparked concern that trees and other objects in the way of the signal may need to be removed. As far as we know, installing antennas (which are about the size of a grapefruit and can be mounted on buildings and lamps posts) is probably considered permitted development and only requires the permission of the landowner and not planning permission.”
At the town council meeting this Wednesday 17th July, councillors will vote on whether they should adopt the following recommendation to oppose the roll out of 5G, “Frome Town Council has a moral responsibility to protect public health and the local environment. Until there is a consensus that 5G wireless radiation is harmless to humans and the environment, Frome Town Council adopts the precautionary principle and opposes the roll out 5G in the town.”
The meeting will be held at Frome Town Hall, Christchurch Street West, at 7pm – the public is being encouraged to come to the meeting to join the 5G debate.
