Dr Richard Sladden has led the legal charge on behalf of the Birkirkara council, targeting the hazardous telecom infrastructure installed by leading telecom company. Contrary to what other telecom companies have done, in Birkirkara this company has not installed their fibre optic cables underground, but have opted to attach them rusty overhead electricity poles. Representing the council’s frustration over unheeded warnings, Dr Sladden signed a judicial protest in the Civil Court demanding immediate action. He argued that the installation of cables on old, rusted poles presents both aesthetic and safety risks, highlighting bad practise from such telecom company and a lack of oversight from regulatory authorities.