Edinburgh residents 'horrified' at plans for 5G mast next to iconic Morningside clock

Telecoms giant Vodafone is being urged to think again about plans to put up a 20-metre 5G mobile phone mast next to the iconic Morningside clock.

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Locals are said to be “horrified” at the proposal.

The mast, with six antennas and three cabinets, would be sited on the pavement close to the clock near the junction of Morningside Road with Cluny Gardens.

One of Morningside's most recognisable landmarks, the Morningside Clock - pictured here in 1905, at the centre of a bustling junction.

But Goff Cantley, planning officer for Morningside community council, said there were already two other masts nearby.

He said: “We've got two huge masts as it is – one at the side of the Bank of Scotland for O2 with five cabinets next to it, and a slightly smaller one almost on the bridge at the railway for EE. Now they want this third one for Vodafone. They are supposed to work together, but clearly in this instance they are not.

“I find the notion of three of these huge masts at one junction just absurd.”

The clock, which is on a cast-iron pillar, dates back to 1910 and originally stood in the middle of the road in front of Morningside Road Station.

The proposed 20-metre mast would be located close to the famous clock. Picture: Google Streetview.

Mr Cantley said it was an important feature of the area. “The Morningside clock is well known and it has been there over 100 years now. We're very fond of it.”

And he pointed out the proposed location for the mast was close not only to the clock but also to the manhole in the pavement which takes the community's Christmas tree every year, complete with power supply.

“The cabinets are going to be very close to that and either we won’t be able to put up the tree or the branches will be covering the cabinet and they won’t get access to them.”

Mr Cantley said the community council was meeting soon to take an official view, but many residents were “horrified” at the mast plan.

Morningside Labour councillor Mandy Watt said when Vodafone first gave notice last year of their proposal, all four local councillors had told them they should look for another site, but the company had submitted a planning application anyway.