NO phone signal will be a thing of the past as a new £150million government led scheme lands in Cotswolds. 

Seven masts will be erected around the Cotswolds to provide signal in “not spots” – areas that do not get mobile phone coverage from any operator.

The £150million needed to erect the masts nationally will be fronted by the government and all running costs will be met by the service provider.

Masts will be built in Blockley, Ford, Brockhampton, Great Rissington, Chedworth, Quenington and Ablington, thought exact locations are yet to be confirmed.

Suitable locations must be submitted to Cotswold District Council and the land must be purchased from the owner.

All work must be done by April 2016 when the government contract runs out.

Arqiva, the company contracted to carry out the work, owns 8,000 mobile phone transmitters in Britain.

Arqiva community relations officer Peter Windgate-Saul said: “We have found that communities are receptive to the idea. It’s important to engage with communities and we are making sure that we do that; we need to carry the community with us.

“There are now more mobile phones in the world than people and two thirds of calls to emergency services are made on mobile phone, so it’s vital to have good signal.”

Initial ideas were presented to the Cotswold Conservation Board last week.

Director Martin Lane said: “We are totally supportive of trying to get signal across the whole area but at the same time we are aware that where the masts go needs careful consideration.

“After all, we are here to conserve and enhance the countryside, it’s important the quality of the landscape, which is the lifeblood of the community and business, is preserved.”

Paul Hodgkinson has been a great supporter of enhancing mobile phone signal in the Cotswolds.

He said: “Getting good phone coverage is a top priority for me, this is the 21st century and we are being left behind.

“But it’s very important that each community has its say and is fully consulted on where the mast will be placed.

“We have got to try and find a balance so that the mast is in the most appropriate area.”