A NEW TV mast is being erected at Emley Moor - the UK’s tallest free standing structure.
The structure is slightly shorter, at 317 metres, than the concrete tower which stands at 330 metres, but will still be higher than the Eiffel tower in Paris.
The temporary TV mast will allow a three year project to boost broadcasting technology across a wide area. New antennas will be fitted to the top of the concrete tower, but services will be transferred temporarily to the new mast to ensure coverage being uninterrupted.
The tower provides digital television, mobile phone and radio coverage to more than 1.9million people and work cannot commence on the tower until the new mast can be brought into operation.
Helicopters are being used to lift some pieces of equipment to the top of the new mast alongside giant cranes.
Emley Moor tower began transmittingt in 1971 and replaced the original mast which collapsed in 1969 following a build-up of ice. Debris from the mangled wreck created gaping holes in the chapel across the road but fortunately no one was hurt.
