New emergency services masts are a missed opportunity to improve mobile coverage for local people – MP

Local MP Tim Farron has criticised the Government's decision not to allow provision for better mobile coverage on new emergency services masts being built in some South Lakes villages.

The Home Office, working with the commercial network operator EE, is building 700 new masts around the UK to provide a new communications network for the emergency services and extend commercial mobile phone and 4G broadband coverage.

However, in a number of remote areas, including the local villages of Kentmere and Longsleddale, the Home Office is doing this without the involvement of EE, resulting in no improved coverage for people who live there.

Currently there is little to no mobile coverage whatsoever in the two valleys.

Tim said: "This is such a missed opportunity.

"Broadband and mobile coverage continues to be one of the biggest issues for our rural communities, especially for our small businesses.

"The installation of these new masts could've been a real boost for local people, but instead they are set to be nothing more than a blot on our beautiful landscape."