PLANS are in place to construct a number of columns in Barrow in a bid to provide ‘super-fast community broadband’.

Westmorland and Furness Council has given the green light to proposals from Voneus Broadband Limited for the construction of six columns as well as supporting apparatus in Barrow and Walney Island with another column pending approval from planners.

Plans have been approved for the construction of a 10-metre column on land next to Westminster Avenue Junction on Ocean Road, an eight-metre column on land next to Premier Tiles on Ferry Road and a 10-metre column opposite the junction with Ribble Gardens on Darent Avenue.

Columns have also been approved on the Promenade on the pavement opposite Albert Place South as well as on Teasdale Road and land at James Freel Close.

The column pending approval is located on Ocean Road at the junction of Empress Drive.

According to planning documents the proposed the design of the proposed apparatus has been minimised to its 'smallest width and height', and only
accommodates 'essential'  equipment

On each application the design and access statement says: “The proposed apparatus will enable a line-of-sight connection between other Voneus transmission dishes within the area.

"This will enable the provision of Community Broadband services within the area, thereby creating a line-of-sight network, which can cover vast distances and offer services to more of the community and businesses.

“This is considered preferable to the digging and laying of new fibre cables in the ground, particularly in areas where the connection crosses a body of water, as is the case in this situation.”

"Voneus Limited provide super-fast Community Broadband services to rural and hard-to-reach communities. To achieve this, Voneus deploy industry-leading wireless technology and infrastructure. Without this infrastructure, there can be no network", the design and access statement adds.