MOBILE phone coverage in North Yorkshire is set to get a boost following a £1m investment.

This funding for the county council's mobile phone coverage improvement programme comes from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund.

County Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said: “Improving mobile phone coverage is vital to the economic growth of the county. Without this investment, the competitive edge of our businesses would be affected. Improved coverage will support business growth and tourism, it will help to remove social isolation and will help our young people to build futures within their communities.”

The council has commissioned an independent survey to identify areas where there is no mobile phone coverage to identify 'not spots' for investment.

The council is working with EE, Vodaphone, O2 and Three.

During the past three months, the county has seen improvements in coverage through a combination of new masts and upgrades to 4G in the areas including Boroughbridge, Stokesley Road in Helmsley, and Goathland.

Cllr Mackenzie added: “We expect to continue to improve coverage, working together with mobile phone operators, planning departments in district councils and Mobile UK, the industry body representing the operators.”

The programme builds on the County Council’s work to develop the county’s digital infrastructure, including its investment in bringing high-speed broadband access to remote communities. It supports the authority’s Plan for Growth, which sets out an ambition to increase good-quality jobs, improve access to economic opportunities and boost average wages.