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Bilsdale transmitting station#Fire

{{Short description|Telecommunications transmission site in North Yorkshire, England}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}

{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}

{{Infobox UK Transmitter

|name = Bilsdale

|image = File:Bilsdale Transmitter August 2020.jpg

|caption = The original (1969) Bilsdale mast stood high above the hills of the North York Moors.

|map_name = North Yorkshire

|coordinates = {{coord|54.358611|-1.150278|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

|height = {{convert|306|m|ft|0}}

|gridref=SE553962

|built = 1969{{cite web|title=Bilsdale Transmitter|url=http://www.aerialsandtv.com/bilsdaletx.html|website=ATV aerial sales|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128065826/http://aerialsandtv.com/bilsdaletx.html|url-status=live}}

|demolished=

|collapsed =

|BBC = BBC North East and Cumbria

|ITV = ITV Tyne Tees

|localtv = Local TV Teesside

}}

The Bilsdale transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, located at Bilsdale West Moor above Bilsdale, close to Helmsley, North Yorkshire, England. The original facility included a guyed steel tubular mast that was primarily used for radio and television transmission. The height of the mast was {{convert|314|m|ft}} to the pinnacle.http://www.muxco.com/docs/muxco-yorks.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005002226/http://www.muxco.com/docs/muxco-yorks.pdf |date=5 October 2022 }} MuxCo Ofcom DAB application document Until a fire disabled the transmitter on 10 August 2021 it was among the most powerful transmitters in the UK. The power for analogue was 500 kW ERP and it was 100 kW / 50 kW for digital. The mast was equipped with aircraft warning lights, in the form of arrays of red LEDs.

The station was owned and operated by Arqiva.{{cite news | url=https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/temporary-equipment-to-be-used-to-restore-tv-and-radio-after-bilsdale-transmitter-fire/ | title=Temporary equipment to be used to restore TV and radio after Bilsdale transmitter fire | date=11 August 2021 | author=Joe Willis | website=Richmondshire Today | access-date=11 August 2021 | archive-date=5 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005002229/https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/temporary-equipment-to-be-used-to-restore-tv-and-radio-after-bilsdale-transmitter-fire/ | url-status=live }} After the main mast was disabled a temporary {{convert|80|m|ft}} mast was installed at the site. The temporary mast commenced operations on 13 October 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.arqiva.com/news-views/news/update-on-incident-at-bilsdale-mast|title=Latest update on incident at Bilsdale mast|website=www.arqiva.com|accessdate=6 October 2021|archive-date=5 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005141437/https://www.arqiva.com/news-views/news/update-on-incident-at-bilsdale-mast|url-status=live}}

History

= Original mast (1969–2021) =

Bilsdale was constructed by J. L. Eve Construction for the BBC in 1969{{cite web|title=The Big Tower Bilsdale|url=http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Bilsdale/Index.htm|website=The Big Tower|access-date=23 December 2015|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235008/http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Bilsdale/Index.htm|url-status=live}} to bring 625-line colour television on UHF to Teesside and the surrounding areas for the first time. Having added UHF TV to the existing VHF TV stations at Pontop Pike and Emley Moor, it was quickly established that a new station would be required to cover County Durham and north North Yorkshire where existing coverage was poor, and thus the new station was built.

Colour broadcasts on BBC1 started on Saturday 31 October 1970.The Stage Thursday 22 October 1970, page 14

== Fire and demolition ==

File:Demolished Bilsdale Transmitter.jpg On 10 August 2021, a fire started at the complex which included the mast. At 13:19 an engineer working at the transmitter called the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stating that he believed the mast was on fire and could see smoke coming from below the first stay level {{convert|50-60|m}} from the ground.{{cite web|date=10 August 2021|title=Fire at Bilsdale transmitting centre|url=https://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/fire-at-bilsdale-transmitting-centre/?|url-status=live|access-date=11 August 2021|website=North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810180531/https://www.northyorksfire.gov.uk/fire-at-bilsdale-transmitting-centre/ |archive-date=10 August 2021 }} It was reported that up to one million homes had lost TV and radio signals.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19503528.bilsdale-tv-mast-fire-north-york-moors/|title=Homes lose TV reception as smoke billows from Bilsdale signal station fire|work=The Northern Echo|accessdate=10 August 2021|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810141058/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19503528.bilsdale-tv-mast-fire-north-york-moors/|url-status=live}} Concerns remained about the structural integrity of the mast, which now needed to have a structural engineering assessment.{{cite news |title=Bilsdale transmitter fire: TV and radio disrupted in 1m homes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58163612 |access-date=11 August 2021 |work=BBC News |date=10 August 2021 |archive-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810225635/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58163612 |url-status=live }} Arqiva confirmed that they were working on restoring service using a combination of temporary structures and existing infrastructure around the region, but were unable to provide a timescale for this.{{cite tweet |user=Arquiva |number=1425446526990659584 |title=Following the incident at Bilsdale yesterday{{nbsp}}... |access-date=11 August 2021}} Viewers in the Hartlepool and Redcar and the eastern edges of Middlesbrough were able to receive their television services from the Eston Nab transmitting station. The frequencies of the Eston Nab relay were altered to match the frequencies of the out-of-service Bilsdale frequencies for the PSB services, and COM TV services are provided by a temporary mast to the same area, using Eston Nab’s frequencies.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/waw-problems-with-television-sand-radio-services-in-north-yorkshire-and-teeside/#/Notification|title=Problems with television and radio services in North Yorkshire and Teesside - 10th August 2021 | Help receiving TV and radio|work=BBC News|accessdate=12 August 2021|archive-date=12 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812083325/https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/waw-problems-with-television-sand-radio-services-in-north-yorkshire-and-teeside/#/Notification|url-status=live}} On 19 August, transmitter operator Arqiva announced that an increase in power would enable 250,000 households in the area to receive a signal from the Eston Nab transmitter.{{cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19524366.bilsdale-tv-mast-latest-transmitter-power-increase-brings-coverage-250k/|title=Mast latest: Transmitter bosses say increased power brings coverage to 250,000 homes|website=The Northern Echo|accessdate=30 August 2021|archive-date=30 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830173540/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19524366.bilsdale-tv-mast-latest-transmitter-power-increase-brings-coverage-250k/|url-status=live}} Viewers in most parts of North Yorkshire were able to switch to a different transmitter which broadcast news and television programmes from another region, and areas such as York, Harrogate, Thirsk, Pickering, Malton and some parts of Ripon who received the Bilsdale transmitter were able to receive the Emley Moor transmitter situated near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. {{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Emley_Moor|title=Emley Moor (Kirklees, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=22 March 2024}} On 6 October 2021, Arqiva carried out a controlled demolition of the old mast, as the structure was found to be irreparably damaged. Sections of the mast have been retained for investigation purposes. {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58821271/|title=Bilsdale mast felled in controlled demolition|website=BBC News|accessdate=18 October 2021|archive-date=7 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007103331/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-58821271|url-status=live}}

= Temporary mast (2021– 2023) =

Following the destruction of the first mast, Arqiva constructed a temporary mast in a nearby former quarry site. The mast is {{convert|80|m|ft}} high and commenced operation on 13 October 2021.

= Replacement =

File:Bilsdale telecommunications mast.png

A new mast of similar height and capability to the old one has been built on the site. The new mast is a guyed lattice type with total structure height of {{convert|294.6|m|ft}}. The top mounted UHF DTV antenna giving a total height of {{convert|306.2|m|ft}}. The replacement mast was completed in February 2023.{{cite web |title=Planning Application Number NYM/2021/1004/EIA |url=http://planning.northyorkmoors.org.uk/northgate/documentexplorer/application/stream.aspx?target=http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%2FNorthgate%2FDocumentExplorer%2FDocumentStream%2FDocumentStream.aspx%3Fname%3D2021-12-16%2BPublic%2B-%2BPlans.pdf%26unique%3D817376%26type%3DNLPL_DC_PLANAPP}} Transmission equipment for the new mast was switched on in the early hours of Monday 22 May 2023, thereby fully restoring Standard Definition TV signals. HDTV signals, Radio and mobile services are still on the temporary mast, thus not reaching as far.{{cite web |title=Arqiva Announcement May 18 2023 |url=https://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/latest-news/posts/bilsdale-mast-to-begin-transmitting-tv-signals-on-monday-22-may-2023/}}{{cite web |title=BBC Tees interview with Arqiva Chief of Operations Adrian Twyning |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0fpp0cz}}

Coverage

Coverage extends throughout Teesside and the surrounding regions, encompassing north North Yorkshire and southern County Durham. This included Harrogate and York to the south, Filey and Whitby to the east, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Hartlepool, Peterlee, some areas of Seaham and some areas of Sunderland to the north, and Barnard Castle and Worton to the west as main reception areas. TV coverage extends particularly at the coast up to Alnwick, Northumberland in the north being useful for areas where the main signal from Pontop Pike is shaded.

Channels listed by frequency

=Analogue radio=

class="wikitable sortable"

!Frequency

!kW

!Service

89.0 MHz

|5

|BBC Radio 2

91.2 MHz

|5

|BBC Radio 3

93.4 MHz

|5

|BBC Radio 4

95.0 MHz

|10

|BBC Radio Tees

96.6 MHz

|8.9

|Hits Radio Teesside

98.6 MHz

|5

|BBC Radio 1

100.7 MHz

|8.9

|Heart North East

101.6 MHz

|1

|Classic FM

106.4 MHz

|8.9

|Capital North East

107.7 MHz

|0.4

|Smooth North East (not receivable in York)

=Digital radio=

class="wikitable sortable"

!Frequency

!Block

!kWRadio Listeners Guide 2010

!Operator

213.360 MHz

|10C

|10

|MuxCo North Yorkshire

216.928 MHz

|11A

|5

|SDL National

218.640 MHz

|11B

|3

|Teesside

222.064 MHz

|11D

|4.7

|Digital One

225.648 MHz

|12B

|2

|BBC National DAB

=Digital television=

In July 2007, it was confirmed by Ofcom that the television frequency assignment after digital switchover would be such that a wideband or group K aerial would be required for reception of all six multiplexes. However, the three public service multiplexes would still fall within the station's original analogue frequency range assignment of aerial group A.{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tech/dsodetails/81plan.pdf |title=Digital Switchover Transmitter Details |access-date=27 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013033530/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/tech/dsodetails/81plan.pdf |archive-date=13 October 2008 |publisher=Ofcom|date=24 October 2007}} The digital switchover started at Bilsdale on 12 September 2012 and was one of the last transmitters in England to complete this operation on 26 September 2012, the others being Pontop Pike and Chatton in the same region.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/tyne_tees |title=Digital UK – Tyne Tees region |access-date=11 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018111246/http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/when_do_i_switch/tyne_tees |archive-date=18 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}

On 13 November 2019, due to the 700 MHz Clearance Programme, the following multiplexes moved frequencies:

  • BBC A from UHF 26 to UHF 21.
  • Digital 3&4 from UHF 29 to UHF 24.
  • BBC B from UHF 23 to UHF 27.
  • Arqiva C and D moving to UHF 55 and UHF 56 respectively.

On 12 March, BBC A and BBC B swap UHF Channel allocations, with BBC A on UHF 27 and BBC B on UHF 21.

On 25 June 2020, COM 8 was switched off permanently due to the effects of the 700 MHz clearance programme.

All broadcasting from Bilsdale temporarily ceased on 10 August 2021 due to damage to the mast by fire.

class="wikitable sortable"

!Frequency

!UHF

!kW

!Operator

!System

{{UK DVB-T|ch=21}}

|21

|100

|BBC B

|DVB-T2

{{UK DVB-T|ch=24}}

|24

|100

|Digital 3&4

|DVB-T

{{UK DVB-T|ch=27}}

|27

|100

|BBC A

|DVB-T

{{UK DVB-T|ch=40}}

|40

|50

|Arqiva B

|DVB-T

{{UK DVB-T|ch=43}}

|43

|50

|SDN

|DVB-T

{{UK DVB-T|ch=46}}

|46

|50

|Arqiva A

|DVB-T

{{UK DVB-T|ch=55}}

|55

|26.9

Arqiva C

|DVB-T2

==Before switchover==

class="wikitable sortable"

!{{no2}}Frequency

!{{no2}}UHF

!{{no2}}kWTelevision Viewers Guide 2009

!{{no2}}Operator

{{UK DVB-T|ch=21}}

|21

|6

|Digital 3&4 (Mux 2)

{{UK DVB-T|ch=24}}

|24

|6

|BBC (Mux B)

{{UK DVB-T|ch=27}}

|27

|6

|Arqiva (Mux C)

{{UK DVB-T|ch=31}}

|31

|6

|SDN (Mux A)

{{UK DVB-T|ch=34}}

|34

|4.8

|BBC (Mux 1)

{{UK DVB-T|ch=42}}

|42

|1.6

|Arqiva (Mux D)

=Analogue television=

Analogue television is no longer available from Bilsdale; BBC2 was closed on 12 September 2012, followed by the remaining four channels on 26 September 2012.

class="wikitable sortable"

!{{no2}}Frequency

!{{no2}}UHF

!{{no2}}kW

!{{no2}}Service

{{UK System I|ch=23}}

|23

|500

|Channel 4

{{UK System I|ch=26}}

|26

|500

|BBC2 North East

{{UK System I|ch=29}}

|29

|500

|Tyne Tees

{{UK System I|ch=33}}

|33

|500

|BBC1 North East

{{UK System I|ch=35}}

|35

|500

|Channel 5

Relays

Below is a list of transmitters that relayed Bilsdale.

=Digital television=

class="wikitable sortable"

!transmitter

!kW

!BBC-A

!BBC-B

!D3&4

!SDN

!ARQ-A

!ARQ-B

!Pol.

Aislaby

|0.0076

|45

|42

|39

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Bainbridge

|0.0076

|57

|53

|60

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|CDV

Castleton

|0.002

|50

|55

|59

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|CDV

Eston Nab

|0.003

|52

|48

|51

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Grinton Lodge

|0.005

|45

|49

|42

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Guisborough

|0.01

|57

|53

|60

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|CDV

Limber Hill

|0.008

|47

|44

|41

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Peterlee

|0.002

|45

|39

|42

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Ravenscar

|0.033

|56

|53

|58

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|CDV

Romaldkirk

|0.012

|44

|47

|41

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Rookhope

|0.002

|45

|49

|42

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Rosedale Abbey

|0.002

|45

|42

|39

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Skinningrove

|0.006

|52

|48

|51

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

West Burton

|0.002

|45

|42

|39

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|BV

Whitby

|0.1

|55

|50

|59

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|{{n/a}}

|CDV

See also

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

{{Commons category|Bilsdale Transmitting Station}}

  • [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/gallerypage.php?txid=744&pageid=4078 Bilsdale transmitter on MB21]
  • [https://www.aerialsandtv.com/knowledge/transmitters/bilsdale-transmitter Info and picture of Bilsdale transmitter including co-receivable transmitters.]
  • [http://www.thebigtower.com/live/Bilsdale/Index.htm Bilsdale Transmitter at thebigtower.com]
  • [https://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/ Arqiva website for Project Restore rebuilding the mast]

{{Television transmitters in the UK}}

{{Supertall}}

Category:Bilsdale

Category:Buildings and structures in North Yorkshire

Category:Mass media in Yorkshire

Category:Transmitter sites in England