Location Cambridgeshire Grid reference TL127913 | Mast height 154 metres (505 ft) Collapsed 2004 (original) | |
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Built 1959 (original)
2006 (current) | ||
The Peterborough transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility at Morborne Hill, near Peterborough, (grid reference TL127913).
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There are two tall structures on adjacent sites: a guyed steel lattice mast belonging to Arqiva, and a 98.45 metres tall reinforced concrete tower belonging to BT. These sites are known by their owners as 'Peterborough' and 'Morborne Hill' respectively.
Arqiva mast
A 154 metres (505 ft) guyed high steel lattice mast, belonging to Arqiva, is used primarily for FM broadcasting but carries many other services.
Originally, this mast was built for broadcasting television on VHF Band I.
On 30 October 2004 this mast was destroyed by fire. It collapsed, seriously damaging the transmitter building at the base. Services were temporarily restored by transferring them to the adjacent BT tower and two temporary masts, including the BBC emergency mast which was put in use for the first time. A new replacement mast has now been built and is in full service.
BT concrete tower
The adjacent tower is one of twelve reinforced concrete towers owned by BT in the UK. It is used mainly for point-to-point microwave links and forms part of BT's national telecommunications network. It was not damaged by the collapse of the Arqiva mast.