The municipality of Sant Miquel de Campmajor has called on Telefónica to remove unused cables to prevent ongoing copper thefts. This issue has led to environmental hazards and agricultural machinery damage.
In a bid to combat rising incidents of cable theft, the Sant Miquel de Campmajor municipality in Girona has formally requested that Telefónica remove all unused telephone lines from its territory. The local government argues that the presence of these obsolete cables not only facilitates theft but also poses significant risks to both agriculture and the environment.
The mayor of Sant Miquel de Campmajor, who is also the vice president of the Associació de Micropobles de Catalunya, highlighted that thieves exploit the village’s dispersed layout, making it easy for them to operate unnoticed. “Our community is suffering from what feels like total impunity,” he stated, emphasizing that this issue extends beyond their borders and affects many small municipalities across Catalonia.
Farmers in the area have reported increasing difficulties due to copper wire thefts over the past two years. With European regulations mandating a shift away from traditional landline systems, criminals have taken advantage of abandoned infrastructure. The result is not just stolen copper; it’s also a growing amount of plastic waste left behind in fields and forests.
This plastic residue poses serious problems for local farmers. Many have inadvertently damaged their machinery by running over this debris with tractors, leading to costly repairs. Moreover, livestock are at risk as they may ingest plastic remnants, resulting in severe health issues or even death.
The mayor pointed out that while some utility poles are being replaced by Telefónica, many remain unrepaired after falling or becoming unstable due to missing cables. This situation creates additional hazards for farmers working their land.
“If European regulations require a system’s removal, then it is the responsibility of the owning company to take action,” said Serrano. “We’ve raised this issue multiple times without any resolution.”
Environmental concerns are mounting as well; leftover materials littering fields can lead to long-term ecological damage. Farmers are left with the burden of cleaning up what they argue should be Telefónica’s responsibility.
In response to these allegations, Telefónica has expressed willingness to engage with local authorities through established channels but maintains that current legislation does not obligate them to remove outdated infrastructure unless specifically mandated by law.
Despite recent cable thefts affecting connectivity in some areas, Telefónica assures residents that both fixed and mobile services remain operational in Sant Miquel de Campmajor. However, locals continue to voice frustration over inadequate internet service alongside physical hazards posed by neglected equipment.
“We have coverage issues and internet problems while being left with this mess,” Serrano concluded.
The situation remains unresolved as residents await further action from both their local government and Telefónica regarding infrastructure safety and environmental cleanup efforts. For those affected by these issues or seeking more information on how they can contribute towards resolving them, contacting the municipal office may provide guidance on next steps.
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