Quotes

When I wrote the TETRA report, I said it must never be used. independent physicist, Barry Trower, author of the Confidential Report on TETRA. Strictly for the Police Federation of England and Wales, commissioned in 2001, to examine the potential effects of TETRA technology on its users.

[The TETRA radio frequency] should be avoided if possible. eminent scientist, Professor Sir William Stewart, former chief scientist to the Cabinet, chair of the Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones report, May 2000, into mobile phone safety.

[Mobile phone companies] in some cases, walking all over the local community. parliamentary Cross-Party Committee Chair, Phil Willis MP, from the Mobile Phone Masts, Report of an Inquiry by the All Party Mobile Group, July 2004.

If this policy was to be carried forward then the huge advantages of integrated, comprehensive, reliable and secure communication service could not be built and the safety advantages for the whole population of the UK would not be realised. O2 spokesman, Peter Sitch, Regional Communications Manager, O2 Airwave, in letter to the Mayor of Llanidloes, dated 12/05/04 [on objections to building TETRA masts]

..would hold up the next generation of mobile networks to the detriment of businesses and communities. mobile phones spokesman, Mike Dolan, Executive Director of the Mobile Operators Association interviewed by Sean Poulter for the Daily Mail, 21/07/04

People in the town are concerned about the mast, but more about the health implications. Mayor of Llanidloes, Cllr. Edward Breeze in BBC news interview, 15/07/04.

The mast will provide huge benefits to people in the town. O2 spokesman, Peter Sitch of O2 Airwave in BBC news report, 15/07/04.

I am afraid that I have been advised ...that the nature of public opposition and local activism have raised serious concerns with regard to the safety of O2 employees at such a meeting and as a consequence I have no choice but to withdraw the offer of support for the meeting on 26 July. O2 spokesman, Peter Sitch, Regional Communications Manager, O2 Airwave in communication to local MP, Lembit Opik, dated 15/07/04 [on declining to attend the public meeting in Llanidloes].

We have a history, in Llanidloes, of David beating Goliath. Powys County councillor, Gareth Morgan, quoted in initial press release by Llanidloes Tetra Mast Action Group, July 2004.

Experts, whose work has been reviewed by Sir William (Stewart), have warned that the new masts and the handsets given to users could damage the brain and cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. BBC news report, 29/01/02.

With the TETRA roll-out, we could be seeing a pandemic of brain tumours in ten years. international radiation consultant, Gerard Hyland, Associate Fellow of Warwick University quoted in Society Guardian, Guardian Unlimited on 21/05/03.

The paradox ... is how can one system of pulsed microwaved radiation be used as a weapon to cause illness or death [and yet] be used as a safe communications instrument? independent physicist, Dr Barry Trower, the 'Trower Report', 28/09/01 [on conflicting applications of similar technology in USA and UK].

I fear that it is cavalier to embark on new technology, whose health effects do not seem to have been adequately evaluated, and which could be serious. local doctor, Dr Tuppin Scrase quoted in the first LTMAG press release, July 2004.

I'm not afraid of progress, but it seems ill-advised to put something like this up in town, against scientific opinion - and to do it just for profit. local minister, Rev Bob Pitcher of St Idloes, Llanidloes, quoted in the first LTMAG press release, July 2004.

[TETRA masts] are a cause of local concern in communities such as Llanidloes, where local people simply do not feel consulted. They are angry that [Powys County] Council officials are threatening to use the government's emergency powers legislation to force mast installations, regardless of local feeling. local MP, Lembit Opik, speaking in the House of Commons, Welsh Questions, 09/06/04.

Local people surely ought to have the right to say whether or not such a structure is erected. Mayor of Llanidloes, quoted in the first LTMAG press release, July 2004.

These firms are paying lip-service to the idea of consultation. national campaigner, Alan Meyer of Mast Action UK, interviewed by Sean Poulter for the Daily Mail, 21/07/04.

There is a sinister aspect to this ...it is very sinister, and it means the government has made up its mind to impose these masts on our country. Powys County councillor, Gareth Morgan, quoted in the Cambrian News, 27/05/04.

There has just not been enough research into the health implications. Town councillor, Angela Morgan, quoted in the County Times on the occasion of a mass protest march through town in June 2004.

Reports of TETRA being responsible for tumours, leukaemia, motor neurone disease and other cancers must be taken seriously ...With risks like these the precautionary principle must apply. MEP, Jean Lambert, quoted in a Green Party press release, 29/03/04.

If there are sufficient concerns to merit the research, surely there are sufficient concerns to require that we get the results before going ahead. MSP, Iain Smith, quoted in The Courier, 19/09/03.