Graham continues his work to stop new telegraph poles

Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, is continuing his work to stop new telegraph poles for broadband delivery being erected in communities like Beverley, Hedon, Preston, Tickton and beyond. 

While KCOM and Connexin are finally, after pressure from Graham and neighbouring MPs Emma Hardy, Sir David Davis and Dame Diana Johnson, working on a pilot to share infrastructure, Graham wants to see companies unable to erect ugly and unnecessary poles in future. 

This is in line with Graham’s recent election promise to work to stop new and unnecessary telegraph poles in Beverley and Holderness’s towns and villages. 

Graham has received assurances from Connexin that the work to share infrastructure is going well, and he will continue to keep tabs on this landmark agreement. 

Graham recently asked the Minister for Telecoms, Sir Chris Bryant, about how the new government plans to force fixed lines operators to share infrastructure. 

Minister Bryant responded that the government intends to continue the previous Conservative government’s policy to encourage sharing. 

Graham will continue to press for residents’ preferred outcome on this issue, which is to force companies to share infrastructure where suitable infrastructure already exists. 

Graham has been a leading champion of stopping these poles over the past year, including welcoming local campaigners to Parliament, convening meetings of the various providers and working behind the scenes with local telecommunications giant KCOM and challengers Connexin and MS3. 

He secured agreements from companies not to erect poles in conservation areas and has supported many residents who have written to him about badly sited poles. 

This work resulted in a pause in erection of new poles in Beverley from April while Connexin and MS3 finalise technical aspects of sharing infrastructure. 

Graham Stuart said: “We don’t want ugly and unnecessary poles littering our streets, and I’m working hard to stop it. 

“The pause in new poles in Beverley is a good thing, and I’ll continue to hold KCOM and Connexin to account, on your behalf, to make sure it comes good. 

“But while this remains a voluntary agreement, we won’t have certainty that no new unnecessary poles will be erected. 

“That’s why it’s vital that I, alongside other MPs in the area, continue to hold the government to account and require the sharing of infrastructure where sufficient ducts for cables already exist.”