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Upgrade starts on UK's tallest tower at Emley Moor

PA Emley Moor TowerPA
The Emley Moor tower was built in 1971

A major project to build a temporary TV transmitter taller than The Shard has begun.

It will be built next to the 1,084ft (330m) Emley Moor tower as part of a five-year upgrade plan.

The new structure will be 1,040ft (317m) and used to transmit TV signals while work is carried out on the existing transmitter

Built in 1971, the Emley Moor mast is the tallest free-standing building in the whole of the UK.

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Arqiva Graphic showing height of various towers in EuropeArqiva
The Emley Moor mast is the tallest free-standing building in the UK

A spokesman for communications infrastructure company Arqiva said the first 240ft (73m) will be built using a crane and the upper part using a helicopter to lift the sections in to position.

He said: "The temporary mast needs to be built, rigged and services switched over [from the main mast] before work can start on the antennas on the main tower.

"The entire operation is expected to take up to five years.