Bin Lorries to Collect More Than Just waste - Now Hunting for Rubbish Mobile Signals Too
Bin lorries across Derbyshire are about to take on a new mission – not just collecting household waste, but also identifying where mobile signals are garbage.
Picture shows the deport supervisor with Antonia Lavelle of Derbyshire Dales District Council, Henry Rutland of Streetwise and Ian Stoddart of Derbyshire County Council.
For the first time in the county, Derbyshire County Council is working with District and Borough Councils refuse teams to sniff out the county’s worst mobile signal not spots. Equipped with mobile signal testing devices, these lorries will roam the streets as usual, but this time, they'll be picking up more than just bins – they'll be collecting crucial data on where mobile signals fail to deliver.
Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “We’re working hard with Government and partners to bring better broadband to homes and businesses, but what about when we step outside? Too many people in Derbyshire find themselves in signal dead zones, where making a call or loading a webpage is just to slow for modern day living.
“We all rely on mobile connectivity for everyday life – whether it’s checking emails, online banking, following a map, or just trying to load a video on social media. Even smart meters, transport management and card payments need strong mobile signals.
“That’s why, with the help of our district and borough councils, we’re turning bin lorries into signal scouts. As they make their rounds, they’ll help us pinpoint where connectivity is rubbish – so we can lobby and help mobile networks clean up their act.”
The county council’s Digital Derbyshire programme is funding the project, reinvesting gainshare funds from the Digital Derbyshire broadband rollout to map mobile coverage across the county. Mobile mapping specialist Streetwave has been commissioned to coordinate the project, with data collection expected to take around three months.
Signal strength will be measured for the UK’s four main mobile networks: Three, Vodafone, EE, and O2. The data will create a countywide mobile signal map, giving the county council the evidence it needs to push for investment in better connectivity. Once the data is received, residents will be able to check their details and see whether they have the best coverage and downloads for their needs.
Article by Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service
More News From Amber Valley Info
| CBeebies star Evie Pickerill joins Derby's 2026 panto Snow White Mirror, mirror on the wall, Derby Arena has the fairest pantomime cast of them all! Derby City Council's Derby LIVE read more | |
| 33 jobs secured following sale of Denby-based retail display manufacturer The sale of Derbyshire point-of-sale display manufacturer Derwent Displays out of administration has secure read more | |
| Council housing stock grows to 32 homes in Amber Valley Two years after bringing council housing back to Amber Valley for the first time in more than two decades, Amber Valley Borou read more | |
| Families Urged To Check If They Can Get Free School Meals Families across Derbyshire are being urged to check if they can get free school meals ahead of changes being introduced fro read more | |
| Mobile speed camera locations in Derbyshire during July 2026 Derbyshire Casualty Reduction Enforcement Support Team (C.R.E.S.T) will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
