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04

Oct 2021

Last Updated: 04/10/2021
Community
Community

Bad weather means Bilsdale mast won't be switched on tomorrow

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 04 Oct, 2021
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Arqiva, which owns the mast, says bad weather has delayed the final checks and services are now not due to be restored until between October 13 and 19.

arqiva-temporary-mast

Some Harrogate district residents face another two weeks without TV due to bad weather delaying the switch on of the temporary Bilsdale mast.

The mast was scheduled to be switched on tomorrow, restoring signal to 90% of homes affected by a fire at the original mast on August 10.

But Arqiva, which owns the mast, has now said there will be up to a fortnight's delay.

In its latest update, the company said the temporary mast had been built but it would not be turned until between October 13 to 19.

It said high winds, low cloud and heavy rain on moorland where the aerial is situated meant the workers couldn't climb the 80m structure or keep equipment dry. It said in a statement:

"The final installation work, checks and tests require good visibility and line of sight from the ground, while rain and winds above 20mph make it dangerous for workers to climb to heights and to lift equipment into place."
"I want to apologise to those people who were really hoping for their services to be restored after a long wait this week. We had worked hard for that too, and this is immensely frustrating.
“The wind, cloud and rain has a heavy impact on how we can work at height, and safety is our absolute priority. We will continue to work flat out to restore services to the people who deserve them, and we will provide a further update as soon as we can.”


The company has said it is working with local authorities, housing associations and charities to support and help those who will still not receive a service as a result of the switch on of the temporary mast.

A website is said to be set up, called Project Restore, to focus on the over 65s, and clinically vulnerable and vulnerable people affected.