After all, there will be no antenna mast along the Oostmijzerdijk in Schermerhorn. This is evident from a residents’ letter, which is in the hands of media partner Alkmaar Central. The plan for a 25-metre-high mast at the Sporting S football club received a lot of criticism last year. “Such a horribly ugly mast does not belong against such a beautiful village,” sighed resident Rob Josselet at the time.
Residents of Schermerhorn, for example, argued that the proposed site was too close to the church and the monumental building Regthuysje would be. Residents were also concerned about the health risks from radiation. The protests seem to have helped, because the location near the church is off the track. Villagers are now invited again with a letter for a meeting next Wednesday.
Because it is certain that a mast of telecom provider Vodafone will have to be built in or around Schermerhorn. Since last year, the national government has required mobile providers to have a range coverage of 98 percent in every municipality. And this cannot be guaranteed in the municipality of Alkmaar.
In Schermerhorn in particular, mobile coverage is weak or even absent in several places. “To meet the requirements, the signal must become better and, above all, more reliable,” says a Vodafone spokesperson. According to the spokesman, the arrival of a mast is ‘inevitable’. During the new meeting, residents will be informed about other possible locations for an antenna mast during an ‘open discussion’.
Last November, concerned residents took action against the arrival of the transmission mast along the Oostmijzerdijk (text continues below the video)
For Rob Josselet, one of the residents who campaigned against the arrival of the radio mast, the decision feels like a victory for the village. “During the previous meeting, the villagers made their voices heard en masse. The alderman was also very shocked by that. They really hit a wall of resistance. We are now being listened to and that is very positive.”
Josselet prefers not to see a transmission tower in his village at all, but if it has to be done, it is preferable to keep it out of sight as much as possible. “It has already been suggested to place the equipment in the church tower, which should be technically possible. I prefer that, but if that doesn’t work, then at least don’t put the mast so close to the village, but a bit further away.”