Letter: I Am Amazed These Poles Are Being Allowed

Published on: 24 Mar, 2026
Updated on: 23 Mar, 2026

One of the recently erected “telegraph” poles erected in Green Lane.

From Nic Allen

When walking along the Hog’s Back bridleway road continuing from The Mount I noticed some new telegraph poles have just been installed.

I presume soon they will have the overhead cables added and draped across parts of the road to some of the new houses there and along the lane probably requiring some of the trees to be cut back.

These cables (and the poles) will despoil the lane and urbanise it. I am amazed that in such a sensitive landscape location which, I believe, is on the edge of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, that this is possible.

To me it is so backward looking to be using 19th century methods for connecting cables and is absurd. In many locations authorities have been working to remove overhead cables because they are so unsightly.

I have asked our local councillors how is this allowed and why are not BT, or other companies, required to install their cables below ground?

Responses to Letter: I Am Amazed These Poles Are Being Allowed

Julia Parris Reply

March 24, 2026 at 11:42 pm

I completely agree. What was once a lovely rural bridleway 16 years ago has now become yet another example of urban sprawl, driven initially by the developments permitted through the sale of back gardens in Guildown. The beautiful views have been lost, and the damage to the south side of Green Lane on the Hog’s Back, caused by the tenant farmer, has only added to the decline.

The lane itself is now riddled with potholes from constant construction traffic, which frequently blocks access with little regard for the residents living at the top of the Mount.

It’s also hard to understand why telegraph poles were installed when the cabling could have been placed underground. At the very least, the potholes could have been repaired while the work was being carried out.