RESIDENTS in Hayley Green are angry at plans for an "eyesore" 5G telecommunications mast on a dangerous stretch of road which has already claimed three lives - and is also near two nurseries and a school.

Scores of people have lodged objections against the bid from Hutchison 3G UK Ltd (Three) for a mast on Hagley Road - to upgrade its 5G network.

They say it is too close to Tiger Lily Day Nursery, The Green Nursery and Lutley Primary as well as a bus stop, which is used by school children to get to Haybridge and Hagley RC schools.

There are also fears that it will make an already narrow footpath on the busy A456, which is a 40 mph road, even more dangerous for pedestrians, and have branded it an "eyesore" "blight on the landscape" and a "monstrosity."

The busy stretch of the Hagley Road has claimed three lives over the last few decades, the most recent tragedy being the death of 18-year-old Halesowen College student Lucy Mills in 2004.

A crossing point, near the Spar store, was installed in 2012 after a lengthy campaign from residents concerned there could be another death at the spot.

The site is also near a footpath which is used by walkers to get to nearby Clent Hills.

Dudley News:

More than 40 residents of streets including Abbott Road, Hayley Road, Causey Farm Rd, Waugh Drive, Kemelstowe Crescent and Hayley Park Road have lodged objections - also raising fears that it will devalue properties.

Nadine McGrath, of Abbott Road, said: "It's literally going to block the pavement.

"The mast is going to serve the village of Hagley and surrounding areas.

"It's an accident blackspot and people will have to walk around it."

The 47-year-old mum-of-two added that more than 250 plus houses would overlook the mast.

She said: "There are ten houses on Hayley Park Road that will be less that 100 yards from the 20m mast - 24 houses on Abbott Road that will be able to see the mast from their back gardens and around 20 houses on Causey Farm Road also be in the same situation.

"My children's bedroom windows will also have their view obscured by this unsightly mast, with it towering 10m over the highest trees." (see picture below)

Dudley News:

Highways officers are recommending the proposal for approval, but are asking that the "equipment be moved as close as possible to the Haley Park Road junction to maximise the distance between pedestrians (that are forced to walk closer to the carriageway edge of the footway) and passing traffic.

"The mast position may be able to remain but all cabinets be resited to the east of the pole rather than the west."

A letter of objection sent on behalf of local residents states: "The application will clearly seriously blight the area of natural beauty, directly impacting on the appearance of this community, being visibly intrusive to neighbouring properties and to the views of Clent Hills for numerous residents and as a result having a detrimental impact on their property values, general well-being and quality of life."

In documents submitted to Dudley Council Three states: "New sites will be needed for many reasons, including that the higher radio frequencies used for 5G do not travel as far as those frequencies currently in use and that sometimes not all existing sites can be upgraded.

"In this area there is an acute need for a new mast to deliver the above.

"It should be noted however, that the nature of 5G and the network services it provides, means the equipment and antennas required are quite different to the previous, and existing, service requirements.

"In particular, the nature of the antennas, and the separation required from other items of associated equipment, is such that it cannot utilise some existing structures that provide an installation for another operator, most notably in a street works or highways environment."

The closing date for objections is July 10. The application number is P20/0781/PN16A