AN MP has welcomed news that eight more phone masts have been proposed for Penrith and The Border.

The UK will see 222 new mobile masts built to improve coverage as part of a deal between 02, Vodafone and Three.

Eight sites in Penrith and The Border regions have been earmarked for new masts.

Conservative MP for Penrith Dr Neil Hudson said: “For too many of my constituents, poor mobile coverage and download speeds have become a fact of daily life. I am pleased that the Government’s Shared Rural Network is beginning to roll out and that this is planned to reach Penrith and The Border. He said: “Whilst this is good news, these improvements are not set in stone. That is why, as part of my ‘Better Connectivity’ campaign, I will continue to press the case with Government for better provision.”

Dr Hudson recently met with Minister for Digital Infrastructure, Matt Warman to discuss the wider issue of poor digital connectivity.

The MP reports that Mr Warman was “receptive and encouraging.”

Dr Hudson said: “I have regular meetings with mobile operators to see how their offer to my constituents can be improved and I am in regular contact with Connecting Cumbria, a partnership between Cumbria County Council and BT, to see how we might get superfast broadband to as many properties as possible.”

He added that the Government has made“steps in the right direction” but he wants to see them taken further.