A NEW 5G phone mast has caused upset in a Dunfermline street as residents call for change from the Scottish Government.

Occupants of St Andrews Street were horrified to find out that the 18-metre-high structure, installed by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, would be imposed upon them.

Gwen McIlroy, who lives across from the mast, said that only five residents were informed, and the rest found out through an article in the Press.

A community group has been set up to oppose the mast, which has now been erected, with Gwen and fellow resident Alex Halliday at the helm.

"We are mounting this campaign now to have this relocated, not to a different area, within this area, but in a more discreet place.

"They were supposed to inform people living within 20 feet, they informed only five people, the five shops I can categorically tell you didn't get a letter.

"That's breaking their own rules, the only way I feel this can be fought is fighting them on their own grounds, if they have broken their own rules.

Alex said they had chosen to place it in the heart of the community.

"There doesn't seem to be any rhyme nor reason for it to be there," he said. "There's loads of areas where they could put it which are not residential, these people in the shops must be absolutely gutted.

"For the people in the shops, and the houses right across, it must be terrible, they said they rejected it but I don't think it was even acknowledged."

Though there have been no health effects so far found to be related to 5G networks, there are still worries from community members about the long-term effects.

Gwen said: "If you're anxious about the health effects, the radio waves or something, then it is affecting your health, whether it's true or not.

"We don't want to take on the World Health Organisation, nobody knows what 5G does.

"There could be fallout from this in 10 years, 15 years, and that is what people are worried about."

Recent storms led to barricades surrounding the mast site lying on the ground, while the mess from digging is taking up a large portion of the pavement.

To pass by, pedestrians would have to walk up the steps to the shops and use the higher pavement, or take to the busy road, a difficult task for residents with disabilities.

Jen Boyaci, the manager of Turkuaz Turkish Bath and Spa, which sits directly behind the mast, has already noticed an effect on her business.

She told the Press: "It's a nightmare, we are a spa, it's meant to be relaxing. We have had to turn the music up to drown out the noise.

"They've not been back today or yesterday, it's just blown everywhere now, nobody is keeping their eye on it to make sure.

"We never heard anything, the first we heard about it was in the Dunfermline Press.

"Then, three or five days later, they started work, we didn't even have any time to put in a notice and say no chance.

"It's disruption for all the businesses, for parking, for everything."

Gwen hopes to take on not only the council, but the Scottish Government, Three, and CK Hutchison themselves in the community group's fight against the mast.

"I call us mast warriors because this is only the tip of the iceberg," she said. "Our motto is this could be coming to a pavement near you, beware because they are popping up everywhere."

When the Press reported on the mast plans previously, Fife Council case officer Lauren McNeil said a prior notification had been submitted for the installation of an 18-metres-high, ground-based pole with associated cabinets and other equipment.

She said: "CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd have stated that the development is required to improve the 5G network to the local area. A site selection process has also been submitted with a justification for alternative sites and the reason they have not been chosen.

"Other sites within Dunfermline were considered and discounted for various reasons, however, all sites considered are located within residential areas as the higher radio frequencies used for 5G networks do not travel as far as frequencies currently in use, therefore proximity to the existing network and residential properties is required to ensure adequate coverage."