Plans to improve mobile phone coverage in High Furness is on the Government’s agenda, the area’s MP revealed.
Simon Fell, who represents Barrow and Furness, said while he was carrying out his summer surgeries, residents of Seathwaite, Broughton, Foxfield and across High Furness to call on the Government to improve mobile coverage in some of the ‘not spots’ of his constituency.
Mr Fell said that a serious concern for residents was the lack of coverage for emergency services, including the Duddon and Furness Mountain Rescue Team.
In December, Mr Fell wrote to the Government minister responsible for policing and crime, Kit Malthouse.
In his letter, Mr Fell called on the Home Office to investigate the situation and explore whether the planned Emergency Services Network could provide essential masts for use by mobile operators.
Mr Malthouse said two masts were to be switched on in the local area which would improve signals in High Furness’ ‘not spot’ areas.
The Government expect this contract for these masts to be awarded in autumn this year, meaning that improved services could be achieved within a year.
Mr Fell said: “During my summer surgery tour we stopped off at Seathwaite, Broughton and Foxfield. The message received was loud and clear – mobile phone coverage, and reception for our emergency services network is non-existent in some of these areas.
“This is simply not acceptable in this day and age, and I thank residents for lobbying me about it.
“I have been working across the Home Office and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in Government to expedite the roll out of improved digital infrastructure in High Furness.
“The Minister’s response is encouraging, but there’s still work to do yet, to ensure that residents and visitors to High Furness can access a decent mobile phone signal, and the emergency services can access their network of communication too.”
