By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Customers say they are leaving EE and Three due to poor mobile phone signal in Cheltenham after a telecommunications mast was removed at Arle Court park and ride.
Residents say they have faced poor network coverage in the south of the spa town since December.
And several people are said to be asking for refunds or being allowed to leave their contract early as a result of the lack of service.
Cellnex, the company which managed the base station shared by EE Limited and Three at the park and ride site, raised concerns over the proposal to remove the mast during the planning application process for the new transport hub being built at Arle Court.
However, the mast was decommissioned and a replacement location has yet to be agreed.
Cheltenham Borough Councillor Graham Beale (LD, Warden Hill), who has been raising this issue on behalf of residents, said there are signal problems across the town.
“The last time I spoke to EE, a week ago, they told me it was red everywhere,” he said.
“Gloucestershire County Council are working with [Cellnex] to find a replacement site for the mast which was removed from Arle Court.
“But as far as I know, they haven’t done that yet. The leader of the council told me they would contact me directly.
“If you look at the EE’s current coverage map it’s only the Cheltenham Racecourse mast which is operational. The others aren’t working correctly.”
Cllr Beale said the Arle Court mast was decommissioned after a planning application from Gloucestershire County Council for the new transport hub.
“Three tell me that two locations are currently under review to recite the Arle Court mobile mast,” he said.
“The Golden Valley mast is currently operating at half-power and is being investigated – though I have no further information on when this fault will be resolved.
“On top of this EE have two further masts in the area which aren’t working properly.”
He said that an investigation is ongoing after a “line of sight issue” with the microwave link at the Chargrove Lane/Oak Farm Mast.
EE confirmed that they were contacted by Cllr Beale. However, they claim the issue has been resolved.
“We were contacted by Councillor Beale regarding coverage in the Cheltenham area.
“An issue was impacting one of our masts in Cheltenham leading to reduced coverage for some customers in the area,” an EE spokesperson said.
“This issue has now been resolved and the mast is now fully operational.”
Gloucestershire County Council has been approached for comment.