AN end to the misery of suffering mobile phone blackspots in parts of the Cotswolds is in sight with the pledging of a £150 million package to provide seven new masts.

Parts of the Cotswolds are notoriously bad for receiving mobile phone signals and the scheme will aim to eradicate the problem, which affects visitors as well as locals, by this time next year.

This week it has been announced the funding needed to erect the masts will be fronted by the government and all running costs will be met by the service provider.

Masts will be built in areas where there is little or no signal such as in and around Blockley and Great Rissington, though exact locations are yet to be confirmed.

Once the sites are identified planning permission would need to be sought from Cotswold District Council.

All work must be done by April 2016 which is when the government contract runs out.

Arqiva, the company contracted to carry out the work, owns 8,000 mobile phone transmitters in Britain.

The company's community relations officer Peter Windgate-Saul said: “We have found that communities are receptive to the idea. It’s important to engage with communities and we are making sure that we do that; we need to carry the community with us.

“There are now more mobile phones in the world than people and two thirds of calls to emergency services are made on mobile phone, so it’s vital to have good signal.”

Initial ideas were presented to the Cotswold Conservation Board during a meeting last week.

Director Martin Lane said: “We are totally supportive of trying to get signal across the whole area but at the same time we are aware that where the masts go needs careful consideration.

“After all, we are here to conserve and enhance the countryside, it’s important the quality of the landscape, which is the lifeblood of the community and business, is preserved.”

Paul Hodgkinson has been a great supporter of enhancing mobile phone signal in the Cotswolds as it adds to personal security and also helps businesses.

He said: “Getting good phone coverage is a top priority for me, this is the 21st century and we are being left behind.

“But it’s very important that each community has its say and is fully consulted on where the mast will be placed.

“We have got to try and find a balance so that the mast is in the most appropriate area.”