Protect Garforth

"I'd encourage all Garforth residents who want to keep their neighbourhood as free from unsightly overground infrastructure as it always has been to get involved in this inspiring and active local campaign against Giggle Fibre's telegraph pole installation programme.

The views of Garforth residents should come first - after all, it's residents who live here and will be here long after Giggle Fibre has moved on." - Richard Burgon MP

Westminster Meeting Summary – 22nd May

On the 22nd of May a small group of Garforth residents travelled to London to attend a meeting in Westminster with the Minister of State for Data Protection and Telecoms, Sir Chris Bryant. We were joined during this meeting by our MP Richard Burgon.

During this constructive meeting we raised the following points:

• The community’s concerns about the roll out of internet infrastructure, including over 200 unwanted telegraph poles impacting our area.
• That Giggle Fibre has seemingly ignored recommendations under the Electronic Communication Code (ECC).
• Neither Giggle nor SCD are members of self-regulating bodies IPCA or INCA, confirmed in writing by SCD.
• Giggle Fibre has refused to engage with the community or attend public meetings.
• No attempt was made by Giggle Fibre to utilise OpenReach underground ducting; they chose cheaper telegraph pole installation instead.
• Most poles have provided no added benefit to affected streets, prompting a community-wide boycott of any provider using overhead infrastructure.
• Poles leach creosote and are wrapped in hessian; there have been reports of skin rashes in children following contact.
• Stressed that the issue isn’t unique to Garforth, and current legislation allows constant overbuild of fibre infrastructure across the UK. We proposed legislative changes.

The Minister was sympathetic but explained he currently lacks powers to intervene as long as Giggle operates within the ECC. We highlighted that the Minister has the power to propose legal changes.

He was surprised that Giggle Fibre isn’t part of IPCA or INCA, meaning it is unregulated beyond the ECC (though not illegal).

We asked whether unused infrastructure could be removed. The Minister confirmed Ofcom has done this in the past and can exercise such powers.

You can download a copy of the slides shared with Chris Byant below:
Download The Garforth Story

About the Issue

Giggle Fibre is proceeding with telegraph pole installation across Garforth for their broadband rollout, despite community opposition. This represents a significant concern for our community:

• Visual impact on our residential streets
• Previous company agreed to underground installation
• Modern infrastructure should be underground
• Installation planned without proper community consultation
• Company refusing to hold public meeting despite requests
• Lack of transparency in following regulatory procedures

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