North Yorkshire people supported during TV signal loss due to Bilsdale Mast disruption
Two Ridings Community Foundation are working with Arqiva – the company which operates the Bilsdale Television mast – to support older and vulnerable people affected by the long-term absence of a television signal due to the loss of the Bilsdale Mast on the North Yorkshire Moors.
Two temporary masts have been switched on, improving TV services for thousands of people – essentially sorting 95% of households initially affected – but for those still without signal, help is on hand.
A dedicated freephone line for Project Restore is available on 0800 121 4828 and the following local organisations are able to signpost people to Arqiva support:
SCARBOROUGH
Age UK Scarborough – Burniston & Cloughton Village Hall
RYEDALE
The Great Ayton Discovery Centre
HAMBLETON DISTRICT
Citizens Advice Mid- North Yorkshire – Community Works – Hambleton Community Action
RICHMONDSHIRE
The Bridge Catterick – Hudson House Reeth
CRAVEN DISTRICT
Age UK North Craven – Grassington Hub – Home-start Craven – Ingleton Rural Community Action – Pioneer Projects
HARROGATE DISTRCT
Harrogate & District Community Action – Nidderdale Plus Partnership – Kettlesing Millenium Village Hall – Next Steps Mental Health Resource Centre – Ripon Community Link
Information, updates and advice, on how to retune your TV, are available at bilsdalemast.co.uk
Residents living in one of the “not spot” areas where there is still no TV signal should have received an official letter containing instructions on how to claim a £50 voucher for Currys. Residents can check if they are eligible at bilsdalemast.co.uk/claim
The £50 voucher can be spent at Currys, online or in store, to buy a TV streaming device such as a Roku stick or an Amazon Fire TV Stick. More than 3,000 people have already taken up the offer, but please note that the devices need WiFi. If people don’t have WiFi broadband they can phone the freephone number 0800 121 4828 for further help.
Adrian Twyning, Director of Operations at Arqiva, said:
“We are working round the clock to restore TV services and to help those affected. We’re sorry for the disruption this has caused for people, and while we are making progress there is also much to do. Our teams are now working on the task of building a second 80-metre mast at Bilsdale to provide a better quality signal to the area.”