WORK to install 29-metre high communication masts along the Tamar Valley Line has been stopped after complaints over their height and visual intrusion in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Network Rail said all construction activities at Calstock, Bere Alston and Bere Ferrers had been put on hold while it considered 'all practicable alternatives' that would still enable the new GSM-R communications system to be implemented.

This will include exploring options for a greater number of smaller masts along the branch line or the possibility of utilising existing masts in the area owned by other public mobile operators.

An action group was set up in the Bere Peninsula to try and stop the masts being installed because of their visual impact.

Members also questioned the need for such an advanced system on what was a single branch line.

Bere Ferrers parish councillor Brian Lamb said this week he was delighted that the rail company was now looking at alternative methods of transmitting its signals in the valley.

'We are shortly to have a meeting with Network Rail and hope there will be a positive outcome,' he said. 'It shows the new face of Network Rail since the appointment of the new director David Higgins.'

Calstock parish councillors had also raised concerns about the masts as the structure at Calstock would be visible from most areas of the village.

Chairman of Calstock Parish Council Dick Hoile said this week: 'Network Rail is still adamant on installing this new system but hopefully we will not have a 98ft mast in the middle of Calstock.

'The rail company is talking to us now and is more open minded, so that is a good thing.'

Mr Hoile said he did not know if the mast already in place in Bere Ferrers would be taken down but it was a possibility as this had happened at Sandplace in Looe where there was a lot of opposition.

'There was a meeting with the residents down at Sandplace and two days later everything was gone, including the control box,' he said.

He said on other tourist lines in the country, like the Tarka Line in North Devon, there were smaller masts which were not intrusive and painted green.

'Most of them are below the tree height but we will have to wait and see what will happen here as it will depend on the topography of the land.'

GSM-R technology has been installed across the country to improve safety. Network Rail is acting on key recommendations in reports of rail incidents where people have been fatally injured.

The new masts allow direct and continuous communication between train drivers and signallers, considerably improving safety, reliability and punctuality for all passengers, said the company.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: 'Network Rail recognises the impact this system has on its line-side neighbours and seeks in all cases to limit, as far as is reasonably practicable, the impact, both visual and otherwise, that the introduction of GSM-R will bring.'