02 Postpone Work On Kew Mast

10.56.39am GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2004

On Friday February 27th, Jenny Tonge MP, and Susan Kramer, Lib Dem Parliamentary Prospective Candidate for Richmond Park met with the communications director of 02 for the Richmond Area. During the meeting he gave a firm assurance that 02 will not attempt to put up a phone mast on the disputed North Road site by Kew Station for at least two months.

Jenny Tonge MP said; "I am pleased that 02 have given us a guarantee that they will not commence work on the site for at least two months, and I have notified a representative of the Kew protest group of 02's decision. Though this itself is in no way a solution to the problem, it will at least allow all parties involved a chance to reach an acceptable compromise."

Susan Kramer PPC for Richmond Park said; "The decision by 02 to delay work for at least two months is a tribute to the work of local residents who have been camping out day and night at the North Road site in protest at the mast. Coupled with a call to boycott the company from Jenny Tonge MP, 02 are clearly rattled. 02 needs to listen to the community, and should wait for the results of a local consultation on whether to place masts in the Campanile building in Kew Gardens before it reaches any final decision."