New Tetra mast plan for the town centre

The plans have been revealed more than three years after widespread protests forced the removal of the previous Tetra mast in the area.

It was in May 2004 that O2/Airwave had to dismantle the hi-tech equipment on top of the Reynolds Depository, pictured right, after the company's managing director, Dominic Reynolds, withdrew permission for the site to continue to be used. This left the telecom firm, now known as Airwave Solutions, relying on the nearest mast at Bognor Regis Golf Club in Felpham to provide coverage for its secure radio network for the police.

But its distance from the town centre has led to a gap in coverage. The proposed mast at the police station in London Road is intended to overcome the problem.

A letter from Sussex Police officer Gary Bailey says the seafront, particularly around the four-storey high Mud Club, is a blackspot for radio use.

'The shortfall in coverage along the seafront at Bognor creates officer safety issues, which in turn could have an adverse effect on public safety.'

Police officers responding to incidents, such as stabbings and other assaults which occurred along the seafront last year, found their radios did not work, he comments.

He says the problem will be worsened when the Airwave system is adopted by the fire and ambulance services.

Paramedics are starting to train for its use to be able to send patient data to hospitals from the scene of an incident.

CAP, which is acting for Airwave Solutions, says an analysis of potential sites found the police station was the only suitable location.

The company comments in a letter: 'This scheme has been designed to ensure minimal visual impact with only one antenna being installed on the rooftop.

Bognor and Arun council member Cllr Paul Wells, whose Hotham ward includes the police station, said: 'It's got to be of great concern that this mast will be sited about 200 yards from Edward Bryant Primary School.

'Yet the advice of the Stewart Report into mobile phone masts was to make sure they were clearly away from such premises.

'Sussex Police is being highly irresponsible in placing such a mast in such a highly populated area, which is also close to Hotham Park.