REPAIRS have been carried out to an aircraft warning light on one of the former BBC transmitting masts next to Tropiquaria Zoo, Washford Cross, near Watchet, after a two-year campaign by former district councillor Stuart Dowding.

Mr Dowding was concerned the two near-500 feet tall masts could pose a hazard to low flying aircraft.

The masts are just below the height at which Civil Aviation Authority rules require lights to be installed as a warning for pilots

But communications technology firm Arqiva, which acquired the masts from National Grid Wireless more than a decade ago, decided to reinstall lights after the structures had been unlit for about 15 years.

A spokesperson for Arqiva told the Free Press: “Our engineer has confirmed that the light at 150 metres has now been repaired, and they have confirmed that all other lights on all the structures are working.”

Mr Dowding first highlighted to the BBC the issue of one of the lights not working in 2023 unaware that the broadcaster no longer owned the masts.

He also raised it with then-Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford and understood it had also been brought to the attention of local air traffic controllers.

Mr Dowding said: “I confirm that all six lights show from the Bicknoller direction.

“I never cease to be amazed how public bodies funded by taxpayers can be so lax, yet, if a private concern was equally slow, all hell would break loose.

“What if there had been a crash in the last two years?”

Each mast is fitted with a pair of lights at three different levels, 50 metres, 100, and 150, making 12 warning lights in total.

The Arqiva spokesperson said the masts were clearly marked on flight maps as obstacles for pilots to be aware of and avoid flying too close.