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Dear Mr Malone
Thank you for your e-mail addressed to the mmO2 Chairman - David Varney and myself regarding the installation of an O2 Airwave antenna at Worthing Football Club.
The site at Worthing is now fully operational. As explained by the Airwave representatives at the meeting to which you refer, it is required to do essential coverage testing and eventually for operational use by Sussex Police. As such, it will form an integral part of their new radio communications network which, in itself, is part of the national Airwave service spanning England, Scotland and Wales. This is an important piece of the nation's infrastructure, critical to security, community safety and saving lives. I am therefore unable to make an undertaking to switch the site off - this would only be possible if there were a suitable alternative site already operational.
Currently, the team working on the Airwave service in Sussex is investigating the alternative site list that was presented to Susan Moore and Josh Berle at the meeting. We will let you know how this is progressing as soon as possible. I must advise though that this could be quite a lengthy process, not least because of the proper requirement to consult with local residents, comply with the planning process, identify a willing landlord and achieve equivalent radio coverage. [ed. none of this took place in selecting Woodside Road as a suitable site!] Notwithstanding this, you do have my word that this investigative work is in hand.
I would also like to stress that I, like David Varney, take health concerns extremely seriously. Radio wave emission checks have been completed at the site and show that levels are not just below, but hundreds of times below the international safety guideline limits. Susan Moore is currently processing the exact measurements for the site and these will be passed on to Councillor Kenny Brady for distribution. You might like to note that we now have in excess of 2300 operational Airwave sites across the country (we anticipate needing a little over 3300 to complete radio coverage), providing essential radio communications to some 35 police forces and a range of other public safety organisations, all of whom are reporting significant operational benefits.
Please be assured that I sympathise with the ill effects you are experiencing. However, I can also assure you that in building this site we have ensured it complies with all the relevant health and safety guidelines. You will know that the overwhelming scientific consensus worldwide is that there is no identifiable risk of adverse health effects from radio waves in general or Tetra emissions in particular.
With regard to interference with baby monitors, we have spoken to one resident directly who has reported this apparent problem. The spectrum across which radio waves is carried - everything from automatic garage doors to Radio One, and including Tetra, mobile phones and baby monitors - is tightly controlled to ensure there is no interference. Hence this is a matter for Ofcom who carry responsibility for managing radio spectrum. We are confident that Airwave is operating properly within its allocated range of spectrum, though it is possible that the baby monitor is not doing so. We have alerted Ofcom to this.
I hope you will not be disappointed with this response. I am confident every step has been taken to introduce the Airwave network which is bringing clear benefits to local communities, in a way that is responsible and that meets the highest standards of safety.
Yours sincerely
Peter Richardson
Managing Director
Airwave mmO2 Limited
pp SN 1.1
Chester Road
Preston Brook
Runcorn
Cheshire
WA7 3QA
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