Anti-mast campaigner council bid

27 April 2006

A MAN who is urging a mobile phone company to scrap plans to install a mast near a school is standing as an independent candidate in next week's elections.

Gary Cripps, a member of action group Orange Squash, has announced his plans to stand in the Lesnes Abbey Ward to 'give the people one voice'.

The 31-year-old salesman is standing in the elections in the hope of stopping more masts being installed near schools and hospitals.

The father-of-two locked horns with mobile phone giant Orange earlier this year, when they announced plans to install a mast near Bedonwell Junior School, Bedonwell Road, Belvedere.

He said: "It is not because we are a political group, but despite collecting thousands of petitions, large corporations and the government refuse to listen to the concerns of our communities.

"We believe the only way we can truly force the ear of governing bodies or organisations impacting our local environment is to voice our own, and our neighbours concerns, at the forthcoming local elections."

Mr Cripps also believes mobile phone companies should be made to pay for the use of the mast and not the taxpayer.

He added: "One of the main philosophies of Orange Squash is true cost of ownership. This means that the owners [of masts] and users should pay for all the costs and not the local residents."

Mr Cripps also expressed concern over the proposed Thames Gateway Bridge and the Belvedere Incinerator.

Orange is currently in a consultation period with members of Orange Squash and other residents over the proposed mast in Bedonwell Road.

Bosses at Orange are yet to decide if a planning application will be submitted to Bexley council.

Resident Alan Eaton, the brainchild behind Orange Squash, recently submitted a 200-signature petition to bosses at Orange.

For more details view www.orangesquash.org.