Mr Stewart said he understood the disappointment of viewers but added, “As the spectrum allocated to TV is congested, any kind of digital solution for Tay Bridge prior to switchover would have to be very restricted — if possible at all — and would not be able to achieve the same kind of coverage as the analogue services.”

Ofcom said the frequency, power and coverage of each transmitter had to be controlled so as not to cause interference to viewers elsewhere. Changes to one transmitter would, in almost all cases, result in changes being required at others.

Mr Stewart said when the analogue services begin to be switched off, space will be created in the spectrum for transmitters like Tay Bridge to broadcast digital services. Four to eight digital channels can be carried in the space occupied by one analogue channel.

He added, “It is anticipated that when the switchover begins in a particular area, one of the analogue TV channels will be turned off and replaced with a selection of digital channels.

“This ‘simulcast’ period will last long enough to give viewers the opportunity to obtain digital equipment, while still being able to receive most of the analogue channels.

“At the end of the simulcast period, the remaining analogue channels will be switched off, and more digital channels will take their place.”

The issue was raised by Tay Bridges councillor Fraser Macpherson, who said the news would be greeted with “great disappointment” by thousands of TV viewers in the affected area.

He said, “The continuing failure to convert the transmitter to also carry digital signals means virtually all residents in my ward in the west end and city centre cannot receive digital terrestrial television, along with thousands of other Dundee citizens in Craigiebank, much of Broughty Ferry, other parts of the city and in north Fife.

“Many residents in the Charleston area of the city also cannot receive digital terrestrial signals as the Camperdown relay transmitter also carries only analogue signals.”