Arqiva Tower

The Arqiva Tower, formerly known as the ITV Broadcasting Tower, is a television mast located in Emley Moor, Denby Dale. It was constructed between 1969 and 1971 by Ove Arup and Partners for the Independent Television Authority. This slender tower is made of reinforced concrete and tapers from a base diameter of 24.4 meters (80 feet) to 6.5 meters (21 feet 3 inches) at the top. The concrete section stands 274 meters (900 feet) tall and is topped with an aerial casing that adds another 56 meters (184 feet), bringing the total height to 330 meters (1,084 feet). The wall thickness decreases from 533 millimeters (1 foot 9 inches) at the base to 350 millimeters (1 foot 1.5 inches) at the top. The design features a vertical curve that creates an elegant profile while accommodating the distribution of vertical bending moments. Upon completion, it became the tallest reinforced concrete structure in the United Kingdom.

The Emley Moor television tower was built to replace a steel guyed mast that collapsed at the site in 1969. Concrete was selected as the primary material for the new tower because it met the necessary specifications and was cost-effective. The aesthetic appeal of the tower was also a consideration, given its location in an environmentally sensitive moorland area. As noted in the Architectural Review, while the tower serves a technical purpose, it also acts as a tourist attraction and has a symbolic presence. In 1972, it received a Special Mention from the Concrete Society, recognized for its combination of technical performance and architectural elegance in its remarkable slenderness.