Plans for a 30-metre telecommunications mast in Paisley have been dubbed “key” in preventing a “black hole” in network coverage developing near Glasgow Airport.
Proposals have been developed for the structure to be hoisted into place at iPark in Inchinnan Road, a car parking facility situated a short distance from the international travel hub in Abbotsinch.
Pegasus Group submitted an application for prior approval for the equipment, which will provide 3G and 4G on behalf of Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL), the infrastructure provider for EE and H3G UK.
The mast is required due to the planned decommissioning of an existing site within the airport, with the applicants saying it would “provide replacement coverage” to avoid a not spot — essentially a place where internet access is not available.
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Planning papers submitted to Renfrewshire Council said: “The continuity of service is required in line with the operator’s Ofcom licence obligations but also to maintain a level of coverage which customers using smart phone handsets expect within the context of a major international airport.
“As such, the application is key to avoiding a coverage black hole to develop in an area where network demand is extremely high due to usage generated from users of the airport, surrounding highway network, commercial areas and residential areas surrounding the site.”
The mast itself will consist of galvanised steel and have a “grey appearance”.
This particular site has been selected “to minimise overall visual impact”, with documents confirming it would be “set against the backdrop” of the White Cart Viaduct and within close proximity to other “existing vertical steel infrastructure”.
Transport Scotland told Pegasus during a pre-consultation exchange that it would be their “preference” that the planned telecommunications base station is not located close to the viaduct to ensure maintenance and inspection is not compromised.
When the national transport agency requested comment on why the location was necessary, Pegasus responded: “The operator did consider proposing the mast away from the viaduct when initial site search assessments were carried out.
“Alternative locations were discounted on the basis of the limited availability of space on the site where the number of car parking spaces are arranged in a tight formation so as to maximise the efficiency of the site for it’s primary purpose.
“Use of existing spaces was considered but, due to the size of the base (6m x 6m) the operator would have to use at least two parking spaces on the site which would have negatively impacts the owners business to an unacceptable degree.”
The application is currently awaiting decision.
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