Bin lorries will check for rubbish phone signal

Bin lorries fitted with trackers will gather data on signal strength across the county

Bin lorries were being used to scour for areas with poor phone signal as part of a new project.

Norfolk County Council installed monitoring devices across its bin lorry fleet to gather data on signal strength and download speeds.

Poor mobile phone coverages was highlighted in the wake of Storm Darragh, which left people living in rural villages without any power or means of contacting anyone for several days.

Data from the new scheme, conducted with mobile analysts Streetwave, will be used in an interactive coverage map, which can be filtered by network, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service. It is hoped the information will help to get Norfolk better connected.

Data from the lorries will help map coverage in the area

Conservative councillor Jane James, cabinet member for corporate services and innovation, said: "Not having a mobile phone signal when you really need it is incredibly frustrating and this tool will help to find the best service in the area.

"We will also use this data to push for better signal coverage in Norfolk. Providers frequently claim extensive coverage but we know that the situation on the ground can be very different."

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group said the authority needed to do more to tackle connectivity issues.

He said: "We've had promise after promise from County Hall Conservatives year after year about tackling 'notspots'.

"Yet there still isn't even an up-to-date picture of where service is poor.

"As so much requires phone and internet access, the more frustrating it is for the public and businesses that are getting a poor service."