Prime Minister MP Rishi Sunak visited the site of the new Bilsdale mast as site bosses said they were on track for a completion date next year.

The mast falls within Mr Sunak’s constituency and so the MP for Richmond visited The Buck Inn, Chop Gate – the sight of the new mast.

Arqiva CEO, Shuja Khan, alongside members of the project team building the new mast, was there to meet the Prime Minister.

Mr Khan also reminded Mr Sunak that the new mast is expected to be providing TV signals to the area in Spring 2023.

In the interim, temporary masts and relay stations have provided TV signal to the vast majority of viewers and listeners in the time since the fire.

The Northern Echo: Shuja Khan chief executive of Arqiva (left) Rishi Sunak MP Picture: RECGONTION PRShuja Khan chief executive of Arqiva (left) Rishi Sunak MP Picture: RECGONTION PR (Image: Recognition PR)

Mr Khan said: “We’re sorry for the ongoing disruption caused by the fire at our Bilsdale mast.

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“The Arqiva team has been in close and regular contact with Mr Sunak since the fire, to provide help and guidance to those who were experiencing problems with their service as a result and we have now restored some services to more than 99.5% of those affected.

“This incident highlighted the value that the public put on the TV and radio services that they get through an aerial and I’m grateful for Mr Sunak’s support for our mast rebuild project and welcome the opportunity today to update him personally on our good progress.

“When complete, the Bilsdale mast will be one of the tallest structures in the country, and under normal circumstances a build of this kind would take up to two years.

“We are working hard to complete the job in a significantly shorter timeframe to restore full service for everyone in the area.”

Mr Sunak said: “The fire at Bilsdale transmitter in August last year caused significant difficulties for many of my constituents, many of them elderly, who rely on broadcast television and radio services to watch and listen to their favourite programmes.

“While the vast majority of constituents did have their service restored shortly after the fire, I am pleased to receive reassurance that plans for the full restoration of these services are on track for spring 2023.”

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