Ceredigion AM Elin Jones has called for the UK government’s Mobile Infrastructure Project to be extended after it emerged that only two areas in Ceredigion were likely to benefit before the project’s funding comes to an end in March 2016.

When the project was announced, masts were planned to be built with public finance in several ‘not-spot’ locations in the county, including Bontgoch, Lledrod, Llangeitho, Pont-sian, Cwmsychbant, Cwmystwyth, Pontrhydygroes, Ysbyty Ystwyth, Ystrad Meurig and Pontrhydfendigaid.

But Arqiva, the company awarded the contract, has confirmed to Miss Jones that only two schemes are likely to benefit; Ger-y-Gors, the community mast near Pontrhydfendigaid which was already planned, and a mast near Llangwyryfon.

A residents’ survey carried out recently by Plaid Cymru in Ceredigion showed that 47 per cent of respondents were ‘dissatisfied’ or ‘very dissatisfied’ with their mobile reception, with particular problems in areas such as the upper Ystwyth valley.

Research by the RAC foundation revealed that there were 156 miles of roads in Ceredigion without mobile phone coverage.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops now or online by clicking the Digital Editions tab at the top of the page