COMMUNITIES and businesses on Exmoor are furious with Arqiva – the Government-appointed contractor which pulled out of the Haddon Hill mobile mast project just two days after getting planning permission – and are pressing for urgent action to get the project back on track.

“We are operating in conditions that would shame many third world countries and I hope the Government recognises this and acts decisively,” said Terry Brownbilll, spokesman for the Business Exmoor Communications Committee.

He said that as a result of Arqiva’s decision not to build the 30-metre mast on the Exmoor beautyspot, hundreds of families and dozens of businesses on Exmoor and surrounding areas will continue to be without mobile phone services for many years to come.

Arqiva walked away from the project after deciding that it was not feasible to complete the mast before the Government-imposed funding deadline of next March. Failure to build the mast by the deadline would result in withdrawal of funds.

Exmoor National Park Authority and South West Water were poised to sign the contract when Arqiva suddenly pulled the plug. They were appointed to deliver the nationwide £150 million Mobile Infrastructure Project in 2013.

Now, residents, local councils and business organisations are urging Culture, Media and Sport Minister Ed Vaizey to grant an extension to the funding deadline and allow Arqiva to get on with the job.

In a letter to Mr Vaizey, Business Exmoor wrote: “We are acutely aware of the communications constraints put on business in this area. The lack of mobile signal and the extremely low broadband speeds make it difficult for businesses to operate and expand.

“Our members are fully behind the construction of the Haddon Hill mast.”

Among other protestors are Exmoor National Park Authority, the Exmoor Holiday Group, Upton and Skilgate parish councils and Somerset county and district councillors.

The mast was set to be shared by four major mobile phone operators and would have provided coverage across a huge swathe of Exmoor which is currently a communications blackspot.

Mr Brownbill added: “Local businesses are at a serious disadvantage and farmers working alone in farmyards and out in the fields will continue to be in danger if they are unable to call for help in the event of injury. The Government needs to move quickly to get this project back on track.”

Upton parish councillor Jane North said: “Residents of both Upon and Skilgate have followed and supported this Haddon Hill mobile mast planning application and we were all delighted when the plan was approved.

“Then we had the bombshell of Arqiva pulling out and there is a great deal of anger about it as a result. I hope the Government can see the merit of the case and extend the Government deadline.

And Gareth Hughes, Skilgate parish council chairman, added: “Everyone in Skilgate is alarmed at the sudden turnaround of events. We have been in desperate need of a mobile signal for years. Then, just as we were celebrating the imminent arrival of 21st century communications, the rug was pulled from under us.”

As reported previously, local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger is supporting the Exmoor businesses by calling for an extension in time.