Paul: "I have not seen any house aerials which use this when driving round the area. It was put in place after a new tall building [in Ellesmere Street] disrupted reception in a small area.
Apparently, some 52 houses were involved and the situation in the area has since deteriorated again, as a result of which affected residents have now been offered free digital satellite boxes instead."
Pre-DSO the Channel 5 provision from this site was the result of a self-help scheme and was listed as being on ch 48, making it an active reflector, but with Channel 4 from the relay being adjacent on ch 47 this seems unlikely. Whatever the case, post DSO the relay now transmits the usual three PSB muxes.
Alan: "The hit list called for detailed photos. It seems since Paul's previous photos, the block had a makeover, and the installation has changed slightly. Before the two antennas were on a pole on the plant room, but now reside on the edge of the roof.
I echo what Paul says about there not being any houses in the area which use the relay. All of the aerials I saw were pointing directly at Winter Hill. I would imagine in the analogue days the problem being ghosting, but that's not a problem in the digital world."
Editor's note: further research confirms the "overcladding"work was the subject of a planning application approved in September 2010. The works were completed by late 2012. Included with the planning documents is a report noting that the relay served Kimberley Walk, Bransfield Walk and Kelling Walk and service would be maintained provided the relay was "moved to the exterior of Royce Court roof alteration". Although not entirely obvious, the height of the building has increased with additional plant added. The apparently reduced height of the relay antenna above the roof is offset by the increased height of the roof above the ground!
We understand the relay was moved to its new position on 11 August 2011 - and the antennas were replaced around a month later. |
