the transmitter. In 2011 as part of the BBC cuts it was announced that there would be no re-investment in long wave which may mean an eventual end to BBC Radio 4 in this part of the radio spectrum. The Guardian published a story in October 2011 saying that the transmitter relies upon a pair of glass valves, of which there are fewer than 10 left in the world, and the BBC did not believe it was safe enough to manufacture more, because "slightly faulty" replacements could cause catastrophic failure. Reception The Radio 4 LW signal from Droitwich covers most of England and Wales. There are supplementary long-wave transmitters in Scotland (Burghead and Westerglen, both 50 kW), with medium-wave transmitters in various parts of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The station can also be heard clearly in most of the Republic of Ireland, particularly along eastern and southern counties. Reception is also possible in Western Europe, including Italy and Sweden. Services available Formerly: See also List of masts List of radio stations in the United Kingdom List of tallest buildings and structures in Great Britain Radio teleswitch References External links The Transmission Gallery: Droitwich Transmitter photographs and information Radio Teleswitch Services Radio Rewind Droitwich Page Specification of BBC phase-modulated transmissions on long-wave Station History Droitwich The World's Most Modern Long Wave Transmitter Radio in the United Kingdom Buildings and structures in Worcestershire Droitwich Spa Transmitter sites in England