MP hailed the engineering expertise behind the Caldbeck transmitting station during a recent visit, describing the services it provides as “essential” to communities across the region.
Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, visited Caldbeck transmitting station to meet engineers and staff at the site, and gain insight into the technical operations and the role it plays in broadcasting TV and radio to more than 130,000 households in Cumbria and southern Scotland. He also heard how the UK’s broadcast infrastructure is playing a key role in the roll out of effective utility smart metering in Cumbria and other areas.
Arqiva, which operates the site, is responsible for maintaining the UK’s broadcast and telecoms infrastructure, including over 1,400 transmission sites nationwide. The company plays a critical role in ensuring continuity of service for both public and commercial broadcasters.
Markus Campbell-Savours MP said: “I'm a Cumbrian MP, who grew up in Cumbria, so I know how reliant people are on the services that come out of the station. It's great to see behind the scenes and meet the engineers that are keeping the show on. It has helped me to fully understand the level of engineering involved, and the way every system is backed up and backed up again. It’s been really interesting but also reassuring to know there’s such a high level of expertise in the county.”
Dave Preston, Senior Broadcast Engineer at Arqiva, said: “The visit highlighted the often-unseen work that goes into keeping communities connected, particularly in areas like Cumbria, where geography can make access to other services more challenging. Our work is not just about keeping broadcasts running; it’s about making sure the public is looked after and provided with a reliable service.”
The Caldbeck transmitter has been a cornerstone of broadcast delivery in the North West since its original construction in the 1960s. It was one of the first locations to go-live with digital TV during the digital switchover in 2009, and today remains one of the most important transmission sites in the UK.
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