DAB radio to get a boost in Shropshire
A landmark agreement is set to see Shropshire benefit from a major expansion of radio transmitters in the next two years.
It could take population coverage of local stations on Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) from 76 per cent to 91 per cent within 18 months.
The Government is set to announce plans to allow modifications to 49 sites and add 182 new transmitters across the UK.
In Shropshire, new or improved transmitters will be installed at The Wrekin, Market Drayton, Hazler Hill near Church Stretton, and Rhosfach Farm, Oswestry.
The work to build the new transmitters will be jointly funded by the commercial operators, the Government and the BBC.
In total, nearly 40,000km of roads will be covered by the local DAB signal.
The first new transmitters will be built in March and the programme will complete by September 2016.
A total of £7.75 million has been put aside for funding to Multiplex Operators for the plan by The Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Digital Radio UK welcomed the "landmark" agreement, and confirmed that details would be announced by Minister Ed Vaizey at BBC Broadcasting House on February 6.
The other sites getting new or improved transmitters include 12 in Cornwall, 12 in South East Wales, 11 in Tyne & Wear and seven in Glasgow.
The collaboration has been in place since the signing of the local DAB Memorandum of Understanding in June 2012.
Ford Ennals, chief executive officer of Digital Radio UK, said: "We welcome this landmark agreement and the benefits of providing local radio stations on DAB to millions of households and thousands of miles of roads and motorways.
"There are a number of new transmitters and modifications to existing transmitters across Shropshire which includes a new transmitter for Market Drayton and modifications to the transmitter in The Wrekin.
"This is excellent news for listeners and reflects the commitment from broadcasters and DCMS to delivering a digital future for UK radio," he added.
"It also means that the Government's coverage criteria for a radio switchover will have been met by the end of 2016."
It is hoped the move will see local DAB digital coverage boosted from the current 72 per cent of homes to about 90 per cent of homes by September 2016.
