House of Commons · Westminster Hall
10 December 2024 · 3 other contributors · 4,885 words
Opened by Preet Kaur Gill Labour (Co-op) Birmingham Edgbaston
Responding minister: Chris Bryant
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Preet Kaur Gill raised concerns about telegraph poles: birmingham in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
The MP asks the Minister to clarify what monitoring Ofcom is conducting on network providers' compliance with sharing infrastructure requirements under the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations 2003. She also seeks updates on amending and strengthening this code of practice.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
The installation of telegraph poles by Brsk has caused significant issues in Birmingham, including a lack of consultation with residents, disregard for existing infrastructure, and obstruction to mobility. The MP highlighted specific instances where poles were erected without adequate notice or alternative solutions explored. Residents have faced concerns over safety and heritage impact, particularly near the historic Perrott's Folly.
Asking the Minister about the importance of siting poles in national landscapes, Freddie Van Mierlo suggests that local communities willing to fund undergrounding should be supported.
He thanked the hon. Member for allowing him to intervene, agreeing with her point about constituents facing similar issues in Stourport-on-Severn where firms use permitted development rights despite restrictions on residents' building permissions. I thank the Minister for his letter and express concern that some businesses are creating infrastructure assets to sell off rather than focusing on cash flow revenue from broadband delivery.
He thanked his hon. Friend for giving way, mentioning similar issues in Birmingham with Brsk erecting poles without proper consultation or adherence to the code of conduct, leading to residents' complaints. Thanking the Minister for intervening with Brsk and organising a meeting with MPs, Tahir Ali welcomes progress in his constituency but asks if companies should be forced to use existing underground infrastructure rather than erecting unwanted poles.
Government Response
Chris BryantIt is a great delight to sit under your chairpersonship, Ms Vaz. I warmly congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Edgbaston on securing this debate. The Government recognise the importance of rolling out gigabit-capable broadband to as much of the country as possible while ensuring commercial viability and competition in the market. Concerns about poles being situated unsuitably or obstructively are valid, but operators like Brsk have committed to better consultation practices and avoiding inappropriate siting. The industry is revisiting its 2016 code of practice, aiming for a revised version by early 2025. Operators need to work with the community to ensure they take local concerns into account, respecting disability measures under the Equality Act 2010. While some communities may fund ducting, this could pose competition issues and require thorough exploration. The Minister acknowledged the importance of community involvement in roll-out decisions and committed to holding companies accountable for their promises.