Barnoldswick set to become a wi-fi town (From Craven Herald)

Barnoldswick set to become a wi-fi town

11:20am Friday 19th March 2010 in

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A scheme to make wireless internet access available in Barnoldswick has been given the go-ahead.

Barnoldswick Town Council and the West Craven Area Committee have committed £8,000 each to establish a web portal and develop a wi-fi network.

The idea to turn Barnoldswick into a wi-fi town was first raised by Coun Martin Bell in March 2009. It means residents will be able to access the town’s web portal via their laptop.

Pendle Council’s West Craven Area Committee agreed to contribute money to the scheme last April, but Coun David Whipp admitted: “We’ve been a bit frustrated at moving it forward. In terms of establishing a website, we have a clear idea what it should contain. The issue allied with that is developing a wi-fi facility in the town centre.

“We’d like to undertake a pilot scheme which involves local businesses. If a few businesses took it up, we’d have good coverage across the central area of the town. It could channel people through a Barlick portal and help businesses develop an internet presence, allowing them to have a shop window on the internet.”

But town councillor and Chamber of Trade member Jenny Purcell spoke out against the scheme. “This won’t help businesses in this recession,” she said. “We want cheaper business rates, not portals.”

She has also campaigned against establishing a wi-fi connection because of health implications.

Last year, Coun Purcell said she contacted experts, who told her that those exposed to the electromagnetic fields could experience symptoms including memory problems or nausea.

“Before setting up something like this, you have to look at the health implications first,” she said. “At the end of the day, people’s lives are at stake.”

While locations in Chile, Italy, South Africa and the USA have set up wi-fi networks, Glastonbury was the only UK town to do so. However, following a six-month trial in the Somerset town in 2008, residents submitted a 400-name petition against the scheme.

“Glastonbury was unplugged because it was making people feel lethargic,” said Coun Purcell. “Until I know all the health implications, I won’t be voting on anything like this.”

She also claimed the web portal and wi-fi issue had been “railroaded through” before a town council working group set up to look into the issue could meet to discuss it. “They’re jumping the gun before anything has been done about it,” she said.