I THANK Tom Stirling and the Evening Press for publicising the erection of a phone mast in Shipton-by-Beningbrough which does not benefit the local area (September 1).

This is not a simple "Nimby" complaint, although I do not use a mobile phone except in emergencies. The mast serves nobody locally. It is intended only to give rail travellers a clearer signal. Vodafone say this is the optimum location for their mast but have failed to answer questions about other possible sites - even when posed by Ann McIntosh MP. I believe this is the cheapest location because of easy access and availability of power. They will not say where the next masts are to be placed north and south of the position. Does this multi-million pound business want to save pennies because it only affects a few residents?

John Schofield,

Station Lane,

Shipton-by-Beningbrough, York.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, September 08, 2004