topic Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea in Mobile Network discussions

Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

Christopher_G — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:56:57 GMT

Update: 25 March 2026

Over the past few days, the fibre company has completed the transmission and integrated the mast onto the network. The mast is now on-air restoring full service to Westgate-on-Sea.

We will continue to monitor performance in the area.

Update: 03 February 2026

Over the past few weeks, we have experienced a slight delay with the fibre company accessing the area to install the leased line needed for the new mast. Barring any further unexpected delays, we expect the leased line to be installed by the beginning of April. Once the leased line has been installed, we can start integrating the mast onto the network and confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 07 January 2026

Over the past few weeks, our engineers have been working with the fibre company to access the area and install the leased line. Barring any unexpected delays, we expect the leased line to be installed by the end of January. Once the leased line has been installed, we can start integrating the mast onto the network and confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 16 December 2025

Over the past few months, our engineers have built the equipment needed for the new mast and installed the power supply. Due to circumstances outside of our control, we have experienced a slight delay integrating the mast onto the network and the mast being on-air.

We are working with the fibre company to access the area and install the leased line. Once the leased line has been installed, we can start integrating the mast onto the network and confirm an approximate on-air date.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 10 October 2025

Over the past few months, our engineers have accessed the site after the seagulls moved on from the location and found the building will no longer be suitable for the equipment. Our engineers have located another area and completed surveys to make sure the site is suitable for the equipment. Barring any unexpected delays, we expect the equipment to be built and the mast to be on-air by the beginning of December.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 23 June 2025

Over the past few weeks, our engineers have found the plans for an alternative transmission link will not be suitable for the equipment.

The Peregrine Falcons have moved on from the nest; however, seagulls have now nested at the location. Once the seagulls have left the nest, our engineers can access the area and install the transmission link needed for the new mast and confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 07 May 2025

Over the past few months, our engineers have built the equipment needed for the new mast. We have experienced a slight delay installing the transmission needed for the new mast, due to Peregrine Falcons nesting at the location.

Our engineers have submitted plans for a new transmission link to complete the installation of the mast onto the network. Once the transmission has been installed, we can confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 07 February 2025

Over the past few weeks, our engineers have completed the legal steps to legally acquire the land from the landowner. Barring any unforeseen delays, we expect to access the area and start building the equipment needed by the end of February, and the mast to be on-air by the end of April.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 10 January 2025

Over the past few months, our engineers have experienced a slight delay completing legal negotiations with the landowner to legally acquire the land and start building the equipment needed for the new mast. We have now completed all legal steps and are working with the landowner for a date to access the area and start building the equipment needed. Once the build is completed, we can confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 03 May 2024

Over the past few months, our engineers have been progressing with surveys and designs at multiple locations to make sure an area will be suitable for the new mast. Providing no complications are found during the legal process to start building the equipment needed at the location, we expect the mast to be on-air by the end of 2024.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 23 January 2024

Over the past few months, our engineers have been working the site providers to access the areas we have located for a replacement mast and complete surveys to make sure the area will be suitable for the equipment needed for the new mast.

One we have completed surveys of the areas and found a suitable location for the equipment, we can start legal steps to legally acquire the land from the site provider and start building the equipment needed for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 03 August 2023

Our engineers have had the lease appeal rejected by the Secretary of State and we will no longer be progressing with planning permission for this location. We started looking for a new location for a replacement mast in case the decision was not overturned from the appeal, and we were forced to abandon the build.

Over the past few months, we have located several areas and are currently conducting surveys to make sure the locations will be suitable for the equipment. Pending a positive outcome and a new area that will be suitable, we can start building the equipment needed for the new mast and confirm an approximate on-air date.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 11 May 2023

Over the past few months, our engineers submitted the amended designs and lease appeal to the Secretary of State and are currently waiting for a decision from the appeal. Pending a positive outcome from the appeal, we will start building the equipment after the cricket season concludes in September.

Our engineers started looking for a new location for a replacement mast, in case the decision is not overturned from the appeal and we are forced to abandon the build. We have located several areas and are currently conducting surveys to make sure the locations will be suitable for the equipment. Pending a positive outcome and a new area that will be suitable, the lead time can take 6-9 months to complete the build.

We will keep up updated in this post.

Update: 21 February 2023

Our engineers are waiting for a decision for the amended designs and lease appeal which we have submitted to the Secretary of State. However, due to the 6 week building work, should we be successful in our appeal we would be unable to complete the work required before the cricket season starts in April. Pending a positive outcome from the appeal, we will start building the equipment after the cricket season concludes in September.

Our engineers have started looking for a new location for a replacement mast in case the decision is not overturned from the appeal, and we will be forced to abandon the build. Once an area has been located, we can complete surveys to make sure the area is suitable for the equipment. Pending a positive outcome and a new area would be suitable, the lead time can take 6-9 months to complete the build.

We will keep up updated in this post.

Update: 25 January 2023

We submitted the amended designs and lease to the Secretary of State for approval, but these have been refused on the grounds that the area in which the equipment would be located is used by a local school as a playing field. We have appealed this decision and are awaiting a response.

If the decision is not overturned, we will be forced to abandon the build and seek a new site location with an approximate lead time of 12-18 months. Should we be successful in our appeal, our 6 week building work will need to be completed by the beginning of the cricket season in April, as the pitch will be in constant use from this point onwards. If this cannot be achieved then building work will commence when the season concludes in September.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 20 December 2022

We have experienced a delay accessing the site, in order to build the structure required for the equipment. Because of the location of the site, we have been requested to amend the designs by the Secretary of State office. We are currently in negotiations for the changes requested, and we expect to have a decision from the Secretary of State office by the end of January. Pending a positive outcome, we expect to start building the equipment needed by the end of February and confirm an approximate on-air date for the new mast.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 07 November 2022

Our engineers have been working with the site provider to arrange a date to access the area and start building the structure required for the equipment to be built. The structural work is expected to start by the end of November. Once this step is completed, we can start building the equipment needed and integrating the mast onto the network. Barring any unforeseen delays, we expect all work to be completed and the mast to be on-air by the beginning of next year.

We will keep you updated on this post.

Update: 14 September 2022

Our engineers are working with the site provider to arrange access to the area and start building the equipment during October. Once the equipment has been built, we can start integrating the mast onto the network. Barring any unforeseen delays, we expect the mast to be on-air at the beginning of next year.

We will keep you updated on this post.

We are in the process of relocating a mast in the Westgate-on-Sea area as the current lease has expired. A replacement site location has been found where all surveys have been completed and planning agreed.

At the moment, we are waiting for power to be supplied and are planning to start to build the new site in October. We’re hoping to have the work completed at the beginning of next year.

We'll update this post once we have more information.

We’re sorry for any inconvenience. In the meantime, you might be able to use WiFi Calling to make and receive calls and texts.

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

wellsyboy — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 21:34:02 GMT

I’m with EE and have been suffering with signal problems in this area.

i had heard that the new mast was going to be complete by September. What’s the delay?

Also, what do you mean when you say the lease has expired, lease with whom?

Thanks

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

James_B — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 07:41:32 GMT

Hi @wellsyboy,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

The lease refers to the site where our mast was located.

Please keep an eye on this post as we'll continue to update it as the new mast build progresses.

James

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

wellsyboy — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 07:56:12 GMT

Thanks James.

I wasn’t aware of that. Is that how it works then, you have leases with the people who own the land? Could you not have just extended the lease and kept it were it was? Sounds simpler to me 🧐

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

James_B — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 08:08:30 GMT

That's right @wellsyboy,

Sorry, I don't have any further information on the details of the expired lease.

James

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

NoFobbOffs — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 14:10:06 GMT

Just wondering why people (including myself ) should still have to pay the same fee's for either a crappy standard of internet or none while you take your time to relocate your mast ,how do you justify that exactly , should'nt we have been informed that this was happening atleast you must have known the lease was due to expire or did you just think people would not notice their internet droping

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

bristolian — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 17:36:01 GMT

@wellsyboy wrote:

I wasn’t aware of that. Is that how it works then, you have leases with the people who own the land?

EE's network sites are effectively tenants on rented land, hence leases and landlord consents being one of the dependencies on new & replacement network sites.

Every site is different in terms of landlord agreements.

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

iNathan — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 20:16:52 GMT

Appreciate the forum post, but this should have been completed by April 2022, at least that's what I was told in August 2021 following a complaint. Exactly one year later we're essentially nowhere near closer to getting this resolved. Based off the response then, I have no faith this will be resolved by the "beginning of next year".

Part of my complaint was EE's poor communication, why has it taken until now for this post, and why have local users still not been informed.

"While I've closed your current complaint case on the basis of the above, we'll be happy to discuss matters with you again once April 2022 comes around." 🙄

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

Becks2511 — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 10:34:01 GMT

I work in postcode CT7 0HL and have usually good signal in my office but for the last 4 days I have no signal inside at all. Is this something to do with this?

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

Christopher_G — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:02:05 GMT

Hi @Becks2511

I've checked the postcode and it looks like you are affected by the problem detailed on this post.

We'll post any updates here as we get them.

Chris

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

neilybealy1 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 16:45:20 GMT

I’m also having issues linked to this mast with no end in sight. I have no signal at home or within 4/5 mins drive away

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

iNathan — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 17:31:10 GMT

Thanks for the updated post, Leanne.

However it is much the same as mid September, so from our perspective this has not moved any closer. I have no faith in EE getting this sorted by "the beginning of next year".

Similar to my previous post in the thread which I was told in a complaint in August 2021, that this would have been sorted 8 months ago, with pretty much the same status then.

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

iNathan — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 18:55:37 GMT

Can we be provided with an update whether the structural work has in fact started in November, as it was expected to, after much delay.

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

Leanne_T — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:58:13 GMT

Hi everyone.

We have updated the main post with the latest updates.

Leanne 🙂

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

wellsyboy — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 17:45:19 GMT

This latest update is not quite what I have heard. It is my understanding that the Secretary of State for Education, via the Department for Education, has opened a public consultation in relation to the disposal of school playing field land. This public consultation is open until 30 December and the SoS will use the outcome of the public consultation when determining whether the school playing field land can be disposed of (i.e. whether EE and Three via MBNL can install the new mast).

Is this the secretary of state you were referring to?

Also, I was unaware of any requests from the SoS to amend your plans. Please can you elaborate on this for us all?

It is my understanding that you have already commenced the vast majority of the work on the school playing fields. What are these amendments you speak of?

Many thanks

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

Leanne_T — Thu, 05 Jan 2023 07:42:05 GMT

Hi @wellsyboy

We have submitted redesigns as requested by the Secretary of State. These included amendments to the designs and the lease, and we have made concessions to multiple requests to gain permission to start building the equipment and restore service to the area. We expect to have a decision by the end of January.

Thanks.

Leanne.

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

66chill — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 19:45:14 GMT

Hi, what's the latest on the new phone mast in Westgate On Sea. Coverage is pretty rough.

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

WWNik — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 08:39:08 GMT

The Department for Education via the Secretary of State have refused the request for the disposal of school playing field land for EE and Three. As such this telecom mast will not be going ahead on this site.

More details can be found here:

https://wirelesswellness.org/articles/dfe-reject-mast-installation

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

James_B — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 08:02:16 GMT

Hi @66chill,

Welcome to the EE Community. 🙂

You can read the latest information in Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea.

Hope this helps.

James

Re: Coverage in Westgate-on-Sea

WWNik — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 08:44:43 GMT

Hi @James_B

I provided an update to confirm that the Secretary of State has refused the disposal of school playing field land and, according to a spokesperson for KCC, “The council was never in favour of siting the mast on the school playing field and we welcome the DfE’s decision...The operator has been informed and KCC will be requesting the removal of any works installed under a previous Interim Rights Agreement. This will be in accordance with a timetable to be agreed with the school and Westgate-on-Sea Cricket Club.”

Is this your understanding too and has the timetable been agreed yet?

Thanks