Shropshire Star

Red box removal not a smart phone idea, say objectors

Campaigners in the county are protesting about being cut off by BT after it put forward proposals to remove 56 telephone boxes.

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Councillor David Evans, left, and Councillor David Hedgley object to rural phone boxes being removed

The telecoms giant wants to ring the changes and get rid of the payphones, but residents in rural areas believe the kiosks are crucial in areas with a poor mobile phone signal, and getting rid of them could be disastrous if there is an emergency. Shropshire Council has objected to the removal of 52 of the payphones, proposed after a public consultation.

Craven Arms is one area that stands to lose five phone boxes; one in Diddlebury, as well as others in Bouldon, Vernolds Common, Clun Road and Anchor Clun. Councillor David Evans believes it would be a big mistake for the phones to be taken away.

“All these areas that have poor signal will find it difficult if they lose the payphones,” he said.

“Not everybody has a mobile phone. We get a lot of tourists here and walkers. If there’s an emergency and they can’t get a phone signal on their mobile, it’s a worry. They are landmarks as well. You use it for directions. People like to see them so it will be a shame if they do go. I don’t think BT see it like that, though.”

One resident, Joan Melwood, believes the phone boxes are an important community asset and thinks it would be a shame for Craven Arms and other rural areas to lose them.

She said: “They’re part of our heritage. They might not get used as much any more but it’s useful to have them for emergencies. I see in some areas they use them for defibrillators. I can’t say I’ve used one for some time, probably a few years, but I know people who still do. I think it’s a concern more for old folks who might struggle with mobile phones.”

Future

Councillor Gwilym Butler, Shropshire Council cabinet member for communities, place planning and regulatory services, said: “The number of BT payphones in Shropshire, for which the council’s final view is to consent to removal of the service and the kiosk, is four – up from the provisional view given in October to consent to remove two of the kiosks and telephony.

“This includes one for which consent was given for its removal in the autumn 2019 round of consultation in late 2019. For the remaining 52, the final view is to object to removal of the service and kiosk.

“In some cases, we have reiterated the concerns raised in autumn 2019, around operability and functionality affecting potential call usage.

“We have requested investigation and repair, whilst noting the pandemic is curtailing activities for everyone at this time.

“As may be seen, many of the town councils and parish councils, with their minds also occupied by coronavirus-related matters, have decided to sustain objections previously made.

“I would like at this stage to reiterate my own thanks to everyone for taking the time to consider the future that they wanted to see for the payphones.”

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