ARQIVA has begun lifting materials on to the Bilsdale site by helicopter as part of urgent work to build an 80m-high temporary mast.

The temporary structure should return Freeview TV services to more than 90 per cent of households across the area which were affected by a fire to the original Bilsdale mast last month.

Read more: Bilsdale transmitter: Who can get refunds after loss of TV signal and how to claim

Materials being lifted by air to the site include around 200 x 750kg concrete blocks which will anchor the temporary mast in place.

The helicopter will also be used to transport the sections of the mast itself to the moorland site, along with the metal ‘sledges’ which house the concrete blocks.

The lifts are part of progress towards the building of the mast as teams work around the clock to help restore services to people.

The Northern Echo:

Adrian Twyning, Chief of Operations at Arqiva

Once the material is in place, the helicopter will be used to then erect the mast itself by lifting separate sections one at a time to be secured in place by specialist riggers.

In total, the helicopter is expected to complete more than 230 lifts over the coming days.

Work to erect the temporary mast is dependent on the weather, but it is currently expected to be completed on Tuesday, October 5.

In order to properly check that the new, temporary mast is covering the area in the desired way it is necessary turn off other temporary sites for a period the day before, Monday, October 4.

That means households will see some disruption on that day, for which Arqiva apologises in advance.

Further updates on Arqiva’s work to restore service will follow in due course.

Adrian Twyning, Chief of Operations at Arqiva, said: “We are working around the clock to restore services to those people who are affected as quickly as possible. Using the helicopter is part of that effort and is the least disruptive way of transporting materials across this remote and sensitive environment.

“Arqiva has experience of using helicopters in this way, and we have successfully completed more than 50 projects on our sites over the years that required a helicopter to lift material or equipment into place.

Read more: Bilsdale transmitter: Claims Arqiva axing "experienced” staff has led to mast delays

“This is a huge logistical effort involving over 100 people and, subject to bad weather or any other unforeseen difficulties, we are making good progress towards completing the works on Tuesday 5th October.

The Northern Echo:

Adrian Twyning, Chief of Operations at Arqiva

“The 80m temporary mast more closely matches the coverage pattern of the existing mast than the temporary sites we have built at Eston Nab, Arncliffe Wood and Sutton Bank.

"Properly checking the 80m temporary mast requires us to turn off those other temporary sites for a period the day before, Monday 4th October.

"That means some households will see disruption to their service on that day, for which we apologise in advance.”

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated North Yorkshire Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054