TV and radio services were disrupted after the Bilsdale transmitter caught fire on 10 August 2021 leaving more than 600,000 homes across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire without a signal.
Paul Donovan, chief executive of Arqiva, said: “The permanent, replacement mast will eventually see full TV and radio services restored to homes across the region. The build is both an enormous investment and one of the most challenging engineering projects in the UK this year. The new mast will reach almost the height of The Shard in London, making it one of the country’s tallest structures.
“It is extremely important that the North Yorkshire economy benefits from the construction of the new Bilsdale Mast, and we have ensured that our main contractor engaged regional partners, like Severfield, when possible.
“The expert fabrication of the steel is of critical importance to the project and represents a very large proportion of our financial commitment. I am delighted that a respected and local company, Severfield, will be undertaking this.”