Right here stands the Glade Lane Transmitter. It is a testament to London’s broadcasting history. Today, we’ll uncover its story. The Glade Lane Transmitter has played a vital role in bringing radio to West London.
The Glade Lane Transmitter’s story begins with Sunrise Radio. The station launched on 1413 kHz on November 5, 1989. This transmitter site, located at the end of a park, next to the Grand Union Canal in Southall, was built for this purpose.
In 1994, Sunrise Radio made a significant move. It took over the high-powered BBC GLR AM slot at Brookmans Park on 1458 kHz. As a result, the Glade Lane Transmitter closed down. But its story didn’t end there.
On January 5, 1998, the Glade Lane Transmitter was brought back to life. It began transmitting Liberty Radio on 972 kHz. This supplemented Liberty’s existing transmitter at Lea Bridge Road. It brought a stronger signal to West London.
Glade Lane Transmitter expanded its services over the years. A second service, Desi Radio, was added on 1602 kHz on May 10, 2002. Then, on April 4, 2019, Lyca Dil Se transferred its 1035 kHz transmitter from Crystal Palace. The Glade Lane Transmitter continued to evolve.
Interestingly, despite its mast configuration, the Glade Lane Transmitter has an omni-directional radiation pattern. This is under its present license. This means it broadcasts in all directions.
The Glade Lane Transmitter wasn’t always home to these stations. Before Liberty Radio, the site broadcast Viva 963. Viva 963 launched on July 3, 1995. In May 1996, Mohammed Al Fayed bought the station. He owned Harrods and chaired Fulham Football Club. He renamed the station Liberty Radio.
Before relocating, London Turkish Radio transmitted from this site on 1584kHz. This was from August 1995. In 2015, it became Panjab Radio. In February 2017, the transmitter moved to Sewardstone.
The Glade Lane Transmitter stands as a reminder of radio’s evolution in London. It has supported various stations and served the community. Its story is one of change, adaptation, and continued service. As we move on, remember the role this transmitter has played in bringing voices and music to the airwaves.