DOZENS of 36 foot tall masts will be installed as part of a project to utilise innovative “smart technology” to monitor bins and street lighting.
Planning applications have been submitted to Southend Council this week for 27 huge telephone masts on grass verges and footpaths outside residential homes in Westcliff and Chalkwell.
It has now been revealed the masts will connect to a range of devices, including mobile phones, and a new “Internet of Things” system that monitors street lights and parking management.
Hull-based firm Connexin is behind the application and runs a similar smart city scheme in Hull that will “connect essential council services and centralize information from multiple sources”.
Lydia Hyde, councillor responsible for climate, environment and waste said: “The council and other authorities across South Essex are currently rolling out their own Internet of Things network across the region separate to this. However, our network uses small devices instead of masts.
“We believe carefully introducing this innovative technology will modernise and enhance a range of council services. For instance, this web of sensors and connectivity could be used to provide flood alerts, dynamic traffic management, or even alerting when bins need to be emptied.”
Southend Council is signed up to the national Smart City scheme – urban areas that use technology to collect data from citizens, devices, buildings and cameras.
It is not currently involved in the applications by Connexin but said it is bringing in its own technology to modernise the delivery of council services.
However, a council spokesperson said a meeting was due to be held to see if Connexin could use the council network, which is not reliant on masts.
Streets that will get the new masts include Southbourne Grove, Chalkwell Avenue, Carlingford Drive, Hornby Avenue and Meteor Road. A mast is also planned for Balmoral Coummunity Centre in Salisbury Avenue.
As of April 2022, masts up to 30 metres are permitted in non-protected areas and up to 25 metres in protected areas, meaning the council will be obliged to approve the masts.
Connexin was asked to comment.
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