A Lampeter town councillor says more research has to be carried out on 5G before it is rolled out across the country.

The fifth generation of mobile networks promises much faster data connections, but opponents say the new technology could cause cancer, infertility, autism and Alzheimer’s and even the deaths of birds and insects.

Cllr Gary Thorogood told colleagues on Thursday they should be urging ‘the powers-that-be’ to carry out more research on 5G before larger sections of the populace were ‘exposed’ to it.

“Very little research has actually been done,” he said. “Some people have had negative effects from the radiation – what will be the consequences if it’s around 24/7?

“I have learnt that there’s huge commercial pressure to install 5G because there’s a lot of money to be made – and people are going to be frightened at missing out on this technical revolution.”

Cllr Thorogood added he was considering tabling a notice of motion regarding 5G at the next monthly meeting.

However, Cllr Hag Harris said councils were ‘limited’ in their powers to respond as 5G was driven by national policy.

“The town council cannot stop it and I think we need to be honest with people about that,” he added.

“We can certainly have individual views but we cannot make an intervention and I do not think that we should – what do people expect the town council to do?”

“I would hope the town council oppose it,” replied Cllr Thorogood. “We should certainly have a town council opinion.

But town mayor Cllr Rob Phillips questioned whether members were ‘scientifically informed enough’ to form an opinion.

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday