Cllr Jessie Jagger Urges Council to Act on City Centre Mobile Signal Blackspots After Dismissal of Practical Solution
Cllr Jessie Jagger, has called for renewed focus on tackling mobile signal blackspots in the city centre, after the council’s official response to her motion dismissed small cell technology without properly considering or trying to understand it.
Cllr Jagger’s motion, passed earlier this year, asked the council to look at ways to improve mobile coverage in specific city-centre locations such as Angel Place, The Hive, and parts of the High Street — areas where poor signal regularly affects residents, visitors, and businesses.
“This is a micro-scale project — we are talking about a handful of streets, not a city-wide infrastructure scheme,” said Cllr Jagger.
“I’m not asking for a huge investment or a major commitment. I’m simply asking the council to reach out to a few providers, explore whether our buildings could host small cell equipment, and bring back some realistic options.”
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🧠 What is small cell technology?
Small cells are miniature mobile signal boosters, about the size of a shoebox, that can be mounted discreetly on buildings or street furniture.
They help improve signal in places where traditional masts struggle — such as pedestrianised areas, streets with thick-walled buildings, or busy public spaces.
They are already used in cities like Westminster and Sunderland and are often installed and maintained by providers at no cost to councils, with the potential for modest rental income.
In its response, the council acknowledged the importance of connectivity but offered no action, instead pointing to the role of national providers and county council lobbying.
“What we received was a polite dismissal of the idea, with no real effort to explore it seriously,” said Jagger.
“This was never about shifting major infrastructure. It was about doing something practical and useful with what we already have — and at the very least, we should have been willing to pick up the phone to a few experts and ask for advice.”
The Lib Dem joint leader on the Worcester City Council also warned that the chance to take local action is running out.
“With the city council due to be abolished in under two years, we risk losing sight of issues like this — ones that really matter to people on the ground. A unitary authority may not have the time or focus to deal with a few blackspots in the middle of Worcester. If we don’t act now, no one else will.”
She is urging the Place and Economic Development Committee to take the next step by:
- Identifying 1–2 council-owned buildings near blackspot areas
- Reaching out to mobile infrastructure providers for informal feasibility feedback
- Bringing back a short, practical report with options for improvement
“We have the ability to fix a real, visible issue that affects people every day. We just need to show the initiative. This is small-scale, low-cost, and entirely within reach — if we take it seriously.”
