By Sarah Newstead

Last updated at 08:42, Friday, 27 June 2008

A disabled woman is calling for assurances that a 29ft communications mast put up just yards from her home will not damage her health.

Julie Bailey

Network Rail this week erected the mast in the conservation area close to Cotehill Station Cottages, near Armathwaite.

The mast is on land owned by the rail infrastructure firm which borders the Carlisle to Settle line.

But fears over potential emissions have caused unrest amongst residents.

One homeowner, Julie Bailey, had a spinal cord stimulation system fitted inside her body after she broke her back three years ago.

She said the equipment is affected by strong electromagnetic impulses and exposure can burn the tissue surrounding it, and could potentially kill her. Julie, 42, claims Network Rail has been unable to guarantee that the mast will not affect the system.

“I’m not allowed within a certain distance of things that emit the impulses.

“I have to be careful with a hairdryer and I can’t go near my husband if he is using a drill or a welder.

“When the mast gets switched on and it fries my insides, what then? I am really afraid.”

The former gymnastics coach relies on the system to relieve the constant pain she endures as a result of her injury and fused spinal column.

“If I have to have it switched off to go past the mast I’m going to be in tremendous pain.”

Despite calls and letters to Network Rail, Julie said residents have been kept in the dark over the mast.

“It’s the generally unprofessional way they have gone about it. It’s such a beautiful area and to have this thing plonked here is just a blot on the landscape.”

A Network Rail spokesman said radiation guidelines would not be exceeded unless a person was within 1m of an antenna.

He added: “We are aware of Mrs Bailey’s medical condition and have assured her that the signals from our masts fall well inside the recognised guidelines.

“In obtaining permission for the mast from Carlisle City Council we were asked to consider reducing the height of the mast if that was possible.

“However, the problem in reducing the height of any masts is that ultimately more are needed to cover the same area of railway line.”

The mast is one of 2,000 currently being erected throughout the country to improve driver to signaller communication.

First published at 05:34, Friday, 27 June 2008
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk