FULL FIBRE Ltd will face residents to explain the need for Droitwich’s Superfast Broadband to be delivered by poles.
A meeting has been set up after people expressed ‘distress and annoyance’ at the poles’ locations throughout the town.
Many say they only discovered the positions after noticing markings on the pavements and letters were sent out ‘just weeks before work was due to start’.
The meeting at 7pm on July 26 at Droitwich Spa Community Hall will give people the chance to hear Full Fibre’s plans for Droitwich.
Representatives from Full Fibre Ltd, Wychavon District Council planning and Worcestershire County Council Highways will all be attending.
Full Fibre will also be asked to explain how it intends to communicate and consult with communities, while the district and county council will discuss the planning consent.
People will then be able to ask questions and express concerns.
Coun Richard Morris initially called for the talk at last month’s full Droitwich Spa Town Council meeting.
He said: “There is no planning reason why the poles can be stopped, but we need the meeting as it is causing distress.
“I feel this is due to the lack of information and knowledge- we want to ensure there is clarity in communication.
“I’m not trying to build up hopes, I’m sure people will understand we can’t change the decision and the poles will be going up.
“But there is the background context to it as to why there will be poles and not underground work.
“People would also like to know why they’ve chosen particular sites, how long the work takes, and what engagement there can be to ensure this doesn’t happen in front of people’s houses.
“I know at the meeting there will probably be a lot of negativity, but to inform and engage is better than not to do so.”
At that meeting, the council agreed to a proposal by Coun Neil Franks to write to MP Nigel Huddleston about the situation.
Coun Alex Sinton added he was sure many people would welcome the broadband when it was here but felt it had been thrust onto people.
The Standard contacted Full Fibre for comment but had received no response by the time we went to press.
