Public Meeting

We would like to thank everyone who attended the meeting on Tuesday 8th April. The meeting focused on continuing our campaign against Giggle Fibre's telegraph pole rollout and the group's recent meeting with Giggle Fibre CEO, Chris Durkan. Below are the key actions and next steps discussed during the meeting.

Meeting Actions

Key actions from the April 8th meeting include:

• Sign the pledge promising not to connect full fibre broadband if provided through overhead telegraph poles (available online at garforth.org or on paper copies distributed in your street)
• Insist on underground connection only when contacted by internet service providers and report any contact to the campaign team
• Display posters from the website in windows, cars, gardens, and local shops (ask local shop owners to display posters on our behalf)
• Monitor poles for safety issues:
  • Check for swaying poles and report to Giggle at enquires@gigglefibre.co.uk with pole number and location
  • Look for seepage of creosote from poles and report as a health and safety issue
  • Measure poles from ground to doby line - they should be 1.2 metres or less above ground level
• Report any issues to Giggle Fibre and local authorities (Councillor Mark Dobson at mark.dobson@leeds.gov.uk for Highways Department issues)
• Contact the Health and Safety Executive (0300 003 1747) with concerns about workpeople not wearing appropriate PPE
• Ensure connection wires are installed at proper distances (2m from property, 3m above)
• Remember that Giggle Fibre employees are NOT allowed to set foot on your property without permission
• If Giggle offers to send someone to see you, have someone else present as we've had complaints of alleged intimidating behavior
• Continue reporting issues even after the project is completed as Giggle Fibre remains responsible for maintenance

Public Meeting

We would like to say thank you to everyone who attended the meeting on Tuesday 4th March, it was great to see such strong support for the campaign. But the hard work doesn't stop there, we need to continue to spread the word and explore other way to limit the effectiveness of Giggle Fibre's telegraph pole roll out. You can find details of the meeting actions below.

View Agenda    View Actions

Meeting Actions

Key actions from the March 4th meeting include:

• Contact OFCOM to raise concerns about the delivery approach and share examples of notices without dates for their review
• Investigate Giggle Fibre's compliance with planning rules regarding notice periods (checking if posted and installation dates align with the required 28-day notice period)
• Create a new poster discouraging broadband sales over telegraph poles
• Discuss increasing the number of resident representatives from 5 to 10 with Giggle Fibre
• Secure a neutral and accessible location for future meetings

Community actions include:

• Email Giggle Fibre to express concerns and objections regarding telegraph pole installation
• Contact Local MP Richard Burgon for support on specific issues (he is in full support of our campaign)
• Engage with the press and media to raise public awareness of the situation
• Print and display posters throughout the community
• Challenge ISPs to provide written confirmation they will not use telegraph poles for service delivery
• Consider switching to full fibre with Sky or TalkTalk sooner rather than later to ensure underground service (as these ISPs may use poles in the future)

You can find contact details and other resources to support our campaign on www.garforth.org and reach out to us via email at contact@garforth.org

Meeting Highlights

A well-attended public meeting took place at Firthfields Community Centre, with around 200 local residents participating. Speakers included:

• Representatives from the community action group
• Councillor Mark Dobson
• Statements from MP Richard Burgon

Discussions covered:

• The risks of accidental connections
• Legal concerns over installation notices
• Steps residents can take to oppose telegraph pole installations

Attendees were encouraged to submit questions, which were grouped and addressed collectively.