Hedon: Broadband pole campaigners hold 'cross-the-road' fundraiser

Residents donated to a local good cause in return for crossing Shields Road, Hedon

Campaigners trying to stop broadband poles being installed outside homes have held a "cross-the-road" fundraiser.

On Tuesday, residents were invited to repeatedly cross Shields Road in Hedon and in return make a donation to a local good cause.

Organiser Julie Dervey said: "Unfortunately, a lorry carrying the poles couldn't get down the street."

MS3 Networks' Guy Miller said his firm would "continue with its deployment".

Julie Dervey, centre, with a collection bucket for the 'cross the road' fundraiser in Hedon

Mr Miller added: "We would remind the public of its obligations under the law."

However, Mrs Dervey, who is part of the Hedon Says No campaign group, insisted it was "perfectly legal" to cross a public road and hold a "small fundraising event".

She said: "We were aware poles were due to be installed today. Lots of people here don't want this wooden pole invasion.

"We have been running a Ruben's Voice charity 'cross the road' event. When people cross the road, they put some pennies in a bucket.

"Unfortunately, that meant [earlier] a lorry carrying the poles couldn't actually get down the street."

Cars have been parked at sites off Shields Road earmarked for broadband poles

On Monday, residents in nearby Westlands Drive used their cars to prevent access to MS3 Networks' lorries, although the BBC understands poles have since been installed there.

A similar tactic was deployed in Shields Road, Ms Dervey said.

"What we found this morning was that people seemed to have parked where the marks [for the poles] are, preventing MS3 being able to install some of their poles," she said.

The BBC witnessed a lorry carrying poles reversing out of the road and driving away.

Lee Egerton, 67, who has lived in a close off Shields Road for 20 years, said he crossed the street "a good dozen times", making a small donation each time.

He added: "You'd have thought they [MS3 Networks] would have chosen to put everything underground. The suspicion is that they're just going for the cheapest option by installing poles."

Lee Egerton makes a donation after one of several trips across Shields Road

Chuckling as he passed the fundraising event on his return from the local shop, Melvyn Bull, 77, said: "It's a good idea. MS3's plan to install poles all over Hedon has put everyone's backs up."

Meanwhile, Katy Smith, who set up Ruben's Voice after her teenage son took his own life in April 2021, said: "The poles issue has caused a lot of upset and stress in Hedon so of course Ruben's Voice supports Julie and the campaign."

Melvyn Bull passes the 'cross the road' fundraiser in Shields Road, Hedon

Mr Miller added MS3 Networks "continues to have constructive dialogue with the local councillors and Humberside Police in order to achieve a suitable outcome".