The longwave transmitter at Droitwich finally ceased broadcasting after 92 years on the 27th June 2026 at 0100 hours BST. This is one of the most iconic transmitters in the UK and was the flagship of radio broadcasting in the 1930’s. It was the culmination of the best transmitter design of the time replacing earlier transmitters at nearby Daventry.
Longwave radio waves have special properties which include a substantial ground wave giving it the power to reach all of England, Ireland and parts of Scotland. Two extra fill transmitters completed Scotland’s coverage. Two steel lattice towers stand 700 feet high and suspend the wire aerials. Travelling south on the M5, 15 miles from Birmingham they can be clearly seen on the left.
At the start, the transmitter had to be powered on site, as there was insufficient capacity available from the national grid. In engineering terms this was a complex operation using many staff. A combination of mechanical and electrical skills was needed to manage the aerials, huge generators and cooling pumps, the programme feed, and the radio transmitter with water cooled valves. Over the years this high maintenance operation reduced as technology improved.
Today it is owned by Arqiva who operate it for the BBC. What will happen now is not entirely clear, but interested groups are lobbying for the towers and aerials to be preserved as a national monument. A section of the local museum at Droitwich Spa is given over to the history of the Droitwich transmitter and is well worth a visit.
As a footnote, our Committee member, George Auckland was listening to Radio 4 at closedown a few days ago, after the switch off. The announcer made a final programme check saying “Radio 4 on 198 long wave, VHF, BBC Sounds” etc. Some habits die hard, even at the BBC.
