Council recycling trucks help detect rubbish mobile phone coverage

Article date: 18 July 2025

The region-wide survey allows residents to check mobile signal strength at home, during their commute, and at work before committing to a mobile contract.

This mapping exercise is the latest in a series of measures funded by the Combined Authority to make the Liverpool City Region one of the most digitally connected areas in the UK.

As part of the scheme, mobile technology specialists Streetwave will install monitoring devices in recycling trucks and road sweepers. These devices will continuously assess mobile signal strength and data speeds from the UK's four main network providers during their usual rounds. Additional portable trackers will be deployed to reach areas not covered by regular routes.

The project will generate a free, interactive map detailing mobile network performance down to individual streets. It will also highlight mobile phone 'not-spots' - areas with little or no signal - so that action can be taken to improve coverage and capacity where needed.

Councillor Keith Laird, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for People, Performance and IT, said:

"In today's world, mobile connectivity is not a luxury - it's a necessity. Whether it's for work or going about our daily lives, a reliable mobile signal is vital. This initiative is a smart, practical way to identify coverage gaps so we can work towards closing them for good - helping us move closer to our goal of becoming one of the best digitally connected regions in the country."

Councillor Tracy Dickenson, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services, added: "Using our recycling trucks to gather this data is a great example of making the most of the resources already covering large parts of the borough every day. It's a cost-effective and environmentally sound approach that allows us to collect valuable information without adding extra vehicles to the road."

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said:

"Any successful, modern city region needs first-class digital infrastructure - and since I was elected Mayor, I've made it a priority to make our region the most digitally connected area in the UK, already investing tens of millions of pounds in LCR Connect.

"Good mobile coverage isn't a luxury - it's a necessity for work, travel, and daily life. But too many people still struggle with poor signal and slow data speeds.

"This initiative will give people across our region the information they need to choose the best provider for them - while helping us identify areas that need better coverage, so no community is left behind."

The Combined Authority's investment in this project underlines its commitment to ensuring no community is left behind in the drive for digital inclusion.

To check mobile network speeds in your area, visit: https://app.streetwave.co/coverage-checker/liverpool-region