Tamworth has recently been hit with a wave of frustration from residents upset over the sudden installation of telegraph poles by Lightspeed Broadband. The complaints highlight a common story — no consultation, ugly poles spoiling the streets, and real concerns about safety, property value, and community well-being.
Here’s what the people of Tamworth are saying in their own words:
“No consultation, just poles popping up”
Henry Jones shared his experience about the trenches and poles appearing overnight with no consultation:
“Tamworth Borough Council say the permission was given by Staffordshire County Council but there was no consultation with residents. The people digging the short trenches had a plan of where the poles were going. We managed to stop 2 poles going up in our street by complaining to Lightspeed.”
Alexander Korniak added a detailed account of how the poles appeared without warning:
“We woke up one morning in early April to find a 9-metre brown pole planted on the verge outside our 1980s cul-de-sac. No prior letter through the door, no yellow planning notice on a lamp-post—nothing. A day later Lightspeed’s contractors bolted a fibre distribution box halfway up the pole and disappeared.”
“An eyesore from outside my front window”
Residents are unanimous that these poles are a visual disaster for their streets:
Sandra Milburn wrote:
“Several of neighbours and myself have complained about the telegraph poles erected in our road. A complete eyesore. No one was asked before these horrible telegraph poles were erected. Spoilt the street. Absolute eyesore from outside my front window.”
Emma Deegan described the shock and distress of having a pole right on her doorstep:
“This has gone up right outside my house inches from my boundary without warning, what a shock I had! I actually feel sick… Completely ruins the look of the street & will definitely de-value my house, literally on my doorstep. It’s a real eyesore.”
Ms J Canham spoke on behalf of an elderly neighbour:
“We heard all the noise when they erected them, not knowing what was going on. Now she sees a great big pole right in her line of vision.”
“We’re stepping back in time”
Ann expressed a frustration shared by many about the outdated appearance and lack of progress:
“Council as usual do not think about the people of Tamworth… we are stepping back in time looks like the 1970s.”
Deborah Bickford asked:
“How for the love of all that is holy in 2025 has this been allowed to happen!! These monstrosities are blighting people’s lives and properties with no word of warning! If you can cut down a 500 year old oak tree in London without notice or due diligence why can’t we just take a chain saw to these!”
“Safety, access and nuisance issues”
Brian’s concern about a pole blocking his driveway highlights practical problems:
“Please could this issue be sorted? Need telegraph pole moved that Lightspeed have installed without notifications. It’s blocking my driveway that I intend to make wider to accommodate our cars.”
Maureen Swinburn pointed out the nuisance caused by birds perching on the poles:
“They provide perching for pigeons and other birds, so their excrement causes a problem on pavements, drives, cars and gardens. We are fed up as we have to clean our car every day from bird droppings.”
Mike Marklew recounted a confrontation caused by the narrow streets near poles:
“A truck driver was backing down the road and went on to the pathway to get around a van. He expected me to do the same but I refused. He was abusive and his workmate threatened me. I was not very happy.”
“What can be done?”
Alexander Korniak and other residents are actively pursuing legal and regulatory channels:
“When residents asked Lightspeed for the statutory ‘hand-delivered’ notice they claimed to have distributed weeks earlier, the company could not produce a single copy.”
They are filing objections citing planning law, requesting the council to revoke permitted development rights for overhead lines, and urging Ofcom to investigate compliance with community engagement standards.
Rich Smith added:
“Please include myself and neighbours in Kirtley Glascote Heath. We have had a pole placed in front of our houses, we were not made aware this was happening and we can only repeat the concerns previously raised concerning property value, health and wellbeing, and a visual mess.”
In Summary
Tamworth’s community feels blindsided and disrespected by Lightspeed Broadband’s installation of telegraph poles — poles that many say spoil the streetscape, harm property values, and create safety and nuisance problems. The overarching demand is clear: better communication, genuine consultation, underground cables where possible, and swift action to remove or relocate poles that cause harm.
If you live in the area and have been affected, joining forces and raising your voice could be the key to pushing for change.
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