Planned cuts to BBC local radio would harm county’s fabric, warns Council Leader

Proposed changes to BBC local radio could have a significantly greater impact in a sparsely populated county like Shropshire, Shropshire Council Leader Lezley Picton has warned.

It is understood BBC Shropshire would be affected by the cuts with exclusively county-based programming cut back to between 6am to 2pm on weekdays only. After that it is proposed that programming would be on a footprint combining Shropshire with other West Midlands stations – Coventry and Hereford & Worcester, and at some times an even bigger area.

Councillor Picton said that people in Shropshire, because of its sparse nature and spread-out population would risk losing out, and a key local service – vital during times of crisis – risks being disappearing.

She said:

“For the last three winters Shropshire has suffered from terrible flooding and local radio has played a crucial part in helping to keep people up to date, informed and reassured.

“We cannot pretend that under the proposed arrangements this would continue – trying to cater for an audience from Rugby to Ruyton-XI-Towns will just make it so much less relevant for people in Shropshire.

“A strong local radio station also plays a vital part in our communities and local democracy, helping to bring people together. I urge the BBC to think again on proposals that I fear would sweep away part of the lifeblood of our county.

“In a county like Shropshire, a strong public service radio station which has traditionally had some of the best listening figures for population plays a hugely important role and one that we should do all we can to maintain.

“The plan to focus create more digital content is welcomed but this can’t plug the hole left by cutting almost half the current Shropshire-based programming.”