A COUNCILLOR has called on phone companies to improve the poor level of service being encountered by residents in Barnsley’s most rural communities.

Coun Robert Barnard, who represents Penistone East, said issues with signal have recently been encountered in areas such as Thurgoland and Crane Moor.

As a result, he contacted the three main firms who operate locally - Virgin Media O2, EE and Vodafone - in order to fast-track improvements to their respective networks.

Coun Barnard told the Chronicle: “Some residents have been experiencing mobile phone connectivity problems in the Crane Moor and Thurgoland areas.

“One of the main reasons is the topography, which often means that users are not in line-of-site with the masts.

“Having reached out to the major providers, I’m hopeful improvements will be seen.”

New 5G masts are planned for the area, the Chronicle understands.

A spokesperson for Virgin Media 02 added: “We carried out some improvements on sites serving this area for both 4G and 5G at the end of last year to improve customers’ experiences.

“We continue to monitor performance and are aware of some ongoing challenges and topography is a key challenge.

“We do have some plans to carry out further improvements later this year, but these are not yet scheduled.

“We hope that these further adjustments will improve coverage in the area.

“We will continue to monitor the performance of the network.”