PLANS to install mobile phone masts across areas in the Scottish Highlands where nobody uses a phone have sparked outrage among locals and conservationists. Caroline Hamilton , chairwoman of the Torridon and Kinlochewe community council, is leading the charge against the UK Government 's £1billion Shared Rural Network (SRN) initiative. 3 Plans have been submitted to build mobile phone masts in a popular beauty spot in Torridon Credit: Getty 3 The plans will see up to 261 masts erected in the Scottish Highlands Credit: Alamy 3 Some areas will require helicopters for servicing the masts Credit: Alamy Boris Johnson announced the plans in 2019 that would see mobile phone operators contribute up to £530million to upgrade areas with only limited signal, with the taxpayer chipping in another £500million to build new infrastructure in areas that were not commercially viable.
The project aims to eliminate mobile phone blackspots by 2025, but critics argue it will ruin Scotland 's pristine landscapes. It plans to erect up to 261 masts, some as tall as 100ft, across Scotland , many in areas far from roads, to solve the problem. These installations would require engineered access tracks and generators.
Read More Money News SCHOOL DEAL I sell my son's old school uniforms on Vinted - items cost just £1 HELPING HAND I got £1k in cost of living payments for food - I had no idea I could get it The most remote areas will need to be serviced by helicopters . The scheme was announced a year.