Connectivity improvements across the National Park

Since 2019, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has approved almost 40 new mobile phone masts, which should provide much improved coverage for residents, local businesses and visitors, and a boost to the economy of the National Park.

This has included applications on behalf of two Government-backed projects. The Emergency Services Network critical communications system aims to replace old telecoms masts with new ones that can also be used by commercial networks. The Shared Rural Network scheme aims to deliver reliable mobile broadband, improving 4G coverage to 95% of the UK and 74% of National Parks, including some of the more remote areas of the Yorkshire Dales. 

However, many of the masts approved in the last few years are yet to be switched on.

Richard Foster, Member Champion for Sustainable Development at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “It’s great the infrastructure is being put in place - but a bit frustrating that we’re yet to see the benefits of increased coverage. The schemes we have already approved will significantly improve connectivity right across the National Park. 

“We are now receiving applications for masts in some of our most remote and beautiful locations. It’s not easy to find the right locations, balancing the need to improve coverage with the need to conserve and enhance the remarkable natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

“We will continue to listen to the differing views of local residents, businesses, farmers and landowners and work closely with the operators to try to ensure masts being proposed are appropriate for their locations and worthwhile in terms of the additional coverage they’ll be providing for people.

“In the meantime, we would hope that the many masts that we have already approved will be made operational as soon as possible, so the benefit of improved connectivity in the National Park can start to be felt by those who need it most”.