Bin wagons used to track mobile signal blackspots
Bin wagons have been armed with equipment to become high-tech survey vehicles as part of a ground-breaking project to improve mobile phone coverage across the region.
The scheme, which is being delivered by digital mapping specialists Inakalum, is using smartphones installed in refuse collection lorries to monitor real-time mobile signal strength as they go about their regular routes.
By working with the region’s five local authorities and their tireless refuse crews, the collected data will be used to create the most detailed and accurate picture yet of mobile phone coverage across Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees.
The project has been funded with the help of £32,490 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
The mapping equipment collects performance data from all four major mobile networks and captures real-world signal quality, rather than relying on operator-predicted coverage maps.
The results will feed directly into the development of a Tees Valley Mobile Coverage Checker - a new tool designed to help residents, businesses and public services understand signal quality in their area and identify where improvements are needed most.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We’re already delivering on jobs, investment and regeneration and now we need to go further to tackle digital blackspots that hold back people and businesses.
“Whether you’re on a farm in East Cleveland or running a business in Darlington, decent signal shouldn’t be a luxury - it should be the bare minimum.
“If we want to build on our potential as a digital powerhouse, we need to make sure everyone is properly connected.”
Steve Harker, leader of Darlington Council and cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, added: “We’re using our bin wagons to sort more than just our rubbish - we’re sorting rubbish signal out, too.
“This smart solution means we’ll finally get real answers about where coverage works and where it doesn’t. No more guesswork – this will give us hard evidence of problems people who have poor signal know only too well and arm us to go to providers and government to get it sorted.”
The survey work with council colleagues will give the Combined Authority hard evidence to work with mobile network operators and national bodies to ensure upgrades are targeted at known blackspots.
The project follows the lead of similar programmes being rolled out in Liverpool City Region and national efforts.
Lisa Evans, leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “Good mobile coverage is a necessity for work, travel, and daily life, but many people still struggle with poor signal and slow data speeds.
“We’re happy to support this TVCA initiative to assess mobile coverage down to street address level that will help identify areas that need better coverage, across our Borough and the wider region.
“And we are pleased our well-respected waste collection team can help out in even more ways to the benefit of the community.”
In addition to bin wagons, the Combined Authority has the option to expand the surveys using other vehicles - or even survey on foot - to target key locations, events, or rural communities where signal performance is a known issue.
Residents and local groups have been encouraged to get in touch if there are specific areas or upcoming events that could benefit from additional mobile signal mapping.
Once live, the coverage checker will also act as a tool to raise awareness of signal issues and strengthen the region’s case for more investment in digital infrastructure.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is provided by the government administered by Tees Valley Combined Authority.
Picture caption: Steve Harker and Lisa Evans with a bin wagon in Ingleby Barwick.