Transmitters that will provide 5G technology are not harmful, according to councils involved in the service’s roll-out.

Brent Council, which will be one of the first local authorities in the country to facilitate the new technology, eased any fears that it could be damaging to humans.

Small ‘cells’ will be placed on lampposts, including the new LED lamps in the region, and other street furniture – though they will not be activated with 5G until 2021.

Cllr Margaret McLennan, deputy leader of Brent Council, said: “Brent will be one of the first boroughs in London to receive the benefits of cutting-edge 5G technology.

“The small cells will provide more consistent coverage – especially for areas that currently have poor mobile phone signal – and are considered safe by the World Health Organisation (WHO).”

Not everyone is convinced by the safety of this technology, however, and there have been calls for greater tests before it is finalised.

Nehal Chauhan, who lives in Harrow, has written to her council and her MP, Bob Blackman, with a list of articles that she believes highlight the programme’s dangers.

She argues that there should be a “full consultation” and that local authorities “listen to residents” before pressing ahead.

Harrow Council said it currently has no plans to introduce 5G, though it is widely expected to available in most parts of the UK in the near future.

Following a wave of online rumours last year, Gateshead Council released a statement confirming that it was not using 5G in its streetlights and that the lamps did not “cause cancer or miscarriages”.

It too referenced the WHO, which deemed them safe, and noted that Public Health England had been consulted.