ePetition details

Protection of Public Health

We the undersigned petition the council to Call upon the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care to educate the public on the dangers introducing of wireless technologies such as 5G without delay and using all available media such as the Council website.

This Petition notes that
- Hammersmith & Fulham Council's Constitution outlines responsibilities for the promotion of health education and public awareness of health issues
- Public Health England guidelines on microwave radiation from apparatus such as mobile phone masts are out of date and only concern lesser heating effects
- Levels of microwave radiation measured in the borough’s public places are consistently higher than recommended limits for sustained exposure, particularly for children; and numerous independent studies show health impacts.

This ePetition ran from 02/03/2020 to 31/05/2020 and has now finished.

187 people signed this ePetition.

Council response

22 June 2020

Dear residents,

Petition on public information campaign about 5G

Many thanks for your petition.
As you may know, the council seeks to operate on the basis of the best available science. We are aware of the advice about 5G from Public Health England. This states that there is no evidence of risk to public health from 5G at safe levels as monitored by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation.

We are also aware that this advice is being challenged through a judicial review. We would wish to see the outcome of the case before taking a further position. It may be worth taking this opportunity to clarify what the council is able to do as regards installation of 5G masts by the private sector. Some are permitted to be installed without needing planning permission from the council.

Any masts on the highway also need a permit and Hammersmith & Fulham council is challenging all requests for permits, insisting private operators discuss with the council where they are to be located. I gather that the government is seeking to make planning rules more friendly towards the installation of 5G masts. Last year it consulted on changes to planning rules which could further restrict what councils are able to do. You may wish to take this up with the government.

Thank you again for your petition and your concern.

Kind regards

Cllr Ben Coleman
Cabinet Member for Health & Adult Social Care