Proposals to site 32 new telecommunications masts from Southport and along the Northern Rail line towards Bootle Oriel Road have been approved by Sefton Council.
The new ‘Train Connectivity Information System’ will enable the new fleet of trains to enter the Merseyrail network.
The new 8.9m masts and antennae will be constructed at various points along the railway line in areas including Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale and Formby to help with on-board monitoring, train performance, passenger information and CCTV, and to provide passengers with wireless internet connectivity.
Planning applications have been submitted across six routes across the Merseyrail network.
They include Southport to Hightown and Formby to Bootle Oriel Road, which have both now been passed by Sefton Council.
The system is being delivered by Alan Dick Communications Ltd (AD Comms), a Panasonic Company, for Merseytravel on the Merseyrail Network.
Ruth Jackson Planning Ltd, which submitted the proposals, said: “The project is being rolled out on six routes on the Merseyrail network.
“The TCIS is required to enable the new fleet of passenger trains to enter the Merseyrail network.
“It is necessary to allow remote access between on-board systems of monitoring; train performance; maintenance; passenger information; passenger announcements; CCTV; location services; and the control room.
“The TCIS will also provide passengers with wireless internet connectivity.
“The system will not support 5G technology now or in the future and is restricted to its specific railway use.”
A number of local residents and councillors shared various concerns over the proposals, including over appearance, potential health impact and possible interference with TV signals.
Each point from each location was addressed by Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie, who said the proposals were acceptable.
On local people’s health concerns, Mr McKenzie, in his report, said: “Local residents have raised health and safety concerns, however an ICNIRP declaration certificate has been supplied with the application which confirms that the apparatus would be compliant with International Commission guidelines on radiation. The Environmental Health Manager is satisfied on this basis given the most recently adopted (2020) guidelines reflect up-to-date scientific knowledge and technological advances.”
He added: “The proposal is to erect 16 telecommunications masts and antenna of 8.9m in height with associated electricity cabinet and equipment at separate locations along the Liverpool-Southport railway line. The infrastructure forms part of Merseyrail’s Train Connectivity Information (MTCI) system project which supports the new fleet of trains due to come into service this year.
One of the new Merseyrail trains
“The infrastructure would support on-board monitoring systems, train performance, maintenance, passenger information and announcements, CCTV, location services, the control room and also wireless internet connectivity for passengers.
“The proposals are considered acceptable. The proposed equipment, in particular the masts, would not result in significant harm to visual amenity in any location they are proposed.
“The height and slimline design are not dissimilar in height to regular street light columns, albeit slightly bulkier towards the top.
“Numerous residents have made suggestions as to what they deem more appropriate locations for the equipment, however the applicant’s case is that the specific locations chosen are the most optimum for operational reasons and need to be dispersed evenly along the line so as to ensure sufficient coverage.
“Notwithstanding this, planning policy is clear that the need for telecommunications equipment ought not to be questioned and the above assessments conclude that significant harm would not be caused in any location.
“While an element of visual harm would be caused in certain locations this is not significant in magnitude.
“There are clear benefits associated with the application including supporting the growth of telecommunications infrastructure which are considered to outweigh any identified harm.
“Overall the proposals comply with adopted local and national policy and are therefore recommended for approval.”
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