This week, Arqiva has begun lifting materials on to the Bilsdale site by helicopter as part of urgent work to build an 80 metre-high temporary mast.
Materials being lifted by air to the site include around 200 x 750kg concrete blocks which will anchor the temporary mast in place. The helicopter will also be used to transport the sections of the mast itself to the moorland site, along with the metal ‘sledges’ which house the concrete blocks.
The lifts are part of progress towards the building of the mast as teams work around the clock to help restore services to people. Once the material is in place, the helicopter will be used to then erect the mast itself by lifting separate sections one at a time to be secured in place by specialist riggers.
In total, the helicopter is expected to complete more than 230 lifts over the coming days.
Work to erect the temporary mast is dependent on the weather, but it is currently expected to be completed on Tuesday 5 October.
In order to properly check that the new, temporary mast is covering the area in the desired way it is necessary to turn off other temporary sites for a period the day before, Monday 4 October. That means households will see some disruption on that day, for which Arqiva apologises in advance.
A video update from the site is available and can be viewed here.
Further updates on the work to restore service and the support scheme will follow. The latest information on the situation can be found on Arqiva’s website and further advice is also available from Freeview at 0800 121 4828 or https://www.freeview.co.uk/bilsdale.
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