MOBILE phone company Orange is being urged to restore a decent signal in two Cotswold areas.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson has written to Orange’s chief executive on behalf of residents in Upper Rissington and Frampton Mansell.

He wrote: “In the case of Frampton Mansell, until two-and-a-half years ago there was a good Orange signal in that village and Sapperton.

“The signal suddenly disappeared one day. There was no warning or apology for this. Now the signal is intermittent and very weak. Residents have complained to Orange without any success.

“Whilst I do understand the economics in rural areas of building a good network with small numbers of customers, can the mobile companies not co-contribute to build one good network in the Cotswolds to be shared by all?  We will then get one quality network built with costs shared.”

Cllr Hodgkinson added: “In Upper Rissington residents there had an Orange mast which was switched off two years ago with the promise of a new mast being erected quickly.

“That village has expanded hugely with something in the region of 2,000 people now living there once a large new estate is completed.

“Yet they have no phone signal whatsoever. The mast promised by you hasn’t materialised despite planning permission being given a year ago

“Can you please confirm when this new mast will come into service?”

Cllr Hodgkinson is awaiting a response from Orange.

Last month his fellow members of Cotswold District Council supported his motion for the authority to petition all mobile phone companies for a better service across the region.