RESIDENTS in Lothersdale say around 40 new telegraph poles being erected in the village are a blot on the landscape.

BT is in the process of erecting the poles on private land at Side Gate to accommodate a new housing development.

Residents say the first they knew about the poles, which are more than 20ft tall, was when a notice was put up stating Side Gate would be closed while work was carried out.

John Bradley, of Near Surgill Head Farm on Side Gate, said he and his wife, Margaret, had complained to BT but added that the work was a fait accomplice.

He said: "We are in the process of being downgraded because BT is upgrading."

He added the 40 poles would be used to swing a cable 27ft up in the air from Lothersdale to Hawshaw to service a new development.

"Most of the poles are on the skyline and alongside a public road. If you look around the hills of Lothersdale, there's nothing else like it anywhere. It ruins the view," he declared.

Lothersdale Parish Council clerk Stephen Cohen said the first members knew about the poles was when North Yorkshire County Highways contacted them.

The department wanted to know whether the council had been informed of an impending road closure to enable BT to carry out the work.

The parish councillors raised the issue at their last meeting and agreed they would oppose the move.

Mr Cohen wrote to BT, which confirmed it had permission from the landowner to carry out the work.

Mr Cohen said: "The poles are going up in an area which is totally unspoiled. The annoying thing is there is an existing route already serviced by poles which BT says it can't use because they are not up to standard.

"The parish council voted to oppose the poles and I wrote to BT to get it stopped. In essence, it was an impossibility.

"I think anyone who is against them should drive up to the poles, take down the address posted on them and object.

"The poles marching up the side of the hill are definitely an eyesore in a totally unspoiled area."

Jonathan Barrow, originally from Lothersdale and whose mother, June, lives in the village, also believes the poles are an "eyesore".

He said: "The thing that riles me is that there has been no discussion. All BT wants to do is find the cheapest method, not caring if it destroys the environment. It's a truly bad thing and ruins a great view."

A spokesman for BT confirmed the company had been given permission by the land owner to put up the poles to accommodate new houses.

He said a complaint had been received by the parish council but said there was no alternative.

He added it was standard practice to give people the opportunity to complain to the company.