Residents in pole position for BT battle

SEAFRONT residents in Portobello have won a battle with BT to remove two telegraph poles which blocked their view.

Community group Seaview Terrace Opposes Poles was formed after BT erected the poles opposite their homes as part of a service expansion programme.

The residents complained the poles and wires spoiled their views across Portobello beach and the Firth of Forth and said they were installed without any consultation.

BT has a right to erect telegraph poles wherever appropriate to supply telephone and broadband services.

However, following the group's campaign, backed by Edinburgh East Labour MP Sheila Gilmore, the company consulted the residents and the poles have now been removed and replaced with one pole behind Seaview Terrace.

Ms Gilmore said: 'It is good to see that the residents of Seaview Terrace and BT were able to work this one out, after all the view is spectacular."