Mobile Phone Coverage Expands in the UK

Mobile phone service will finally reach one of the more remote outposts of the UK, when Orange installs two new masts on the Outer Hebrides islands of Barra and Vatersay. The construction company arrived on the island last week and used a helicopter to shift construction materials to the two sites for the new masts. Barra's tiny airport, near Northbay, is unique in Britain in that the runway is a beach, Cockle Strand (An Traigh Mhor). Planes can only land and take off at low tide meaning that the timetable varies.

The contracts are expected to take four to six weeks for the construction phase. Orange and Airwaves (TETRA network) are the two service providers due to come on board these masts.

Councillor Donald Manford told Guth Bharraidh Barra News, that this significant step feels more important due to the sustained efforts of community groups to secure this improvement in communication.

He stated " I would like to thank Orange for agreeing to provide this service. Particular thanks must be extended to Iain R MacNeil of Barra, who once again has shown his special commitment to our islands. Also WI Connected Communities without who's financial help this would never have happened, and of course Guth Bharraigh assisted by reporter James Morgan of the Glasgow Herald."

"I must single out praise for the exemplary campaign of the youth of Barra and Vatersay through the Youth Council. Their tenacity and resolve earned the respect of everyone which serves as an example to us all." Further proof of the power of working together!

At the 2001 census the resident population was 1,078.