Village telephone box goes ex-directory

Villagers saw red when they discovered that their local telephone kiosk had disappeared one morning – whisked away by telecommunications giant BT without any consultation.

The people of Monkland, near Leominster, were fighting to save their local kiosk. It was one of 111 public payphones in Herefordshire that BT wants to scrap because they no longer make enough money. Now local people are looking to raise the £750 they need to try and ‘buy back’ their telephone box from BT.

Herefordshire Council is leading a campaign to keep the boxes in place. Communities are worried that without them there will be no public access to emergency services, as mobile telecommunication coverage is often poor or non-existent.

“People in Monkland were dismayed when BT removed their phone box by stealth”, said Anthony Bush, parish liaison and rural services officer. “This is despite promises that no phones would go without full consultation. Such is the level of feeling that local people are looking to raise the funds they need to actually buy back the telephone box they have lost”.

BT originally said the deadline for consultation was 2 July. But after lobbying the telecommunications regulator Ofcom, the council secured a deadline extension until 26 September. This is because BT was late in posting notification of the consultation in kiosks that could be closed.

Now the council is asking locals to notify it if any more kiosks suddenly disappear. In the meantime the council has posted details on its website of the now 110 pay phones under threat.

Herefordshire Council says it has three main concerns about BT’s consultation:

1. BT has provided no evidence to show how telephone kiosks are used in emergencies, they have said only that they are not used sufficiently for them to be profitable. The service obligation with the regulator means that BT cannot use money as a reason for closure.

2. BT needs to undertake a survey of mobile phone coverage in Herefordshire as part of their evidence supporting any proposals for pay phone closure, as this issue is crucial to BT’s obligation to maintain this line of communication in the event of an emergency.

3. BT has failed to present options for local people to consider – other than closure. Communities need to be allowed to put forward other ideas that might result in the telephone boxes becoming more viable.

People concerned about losing their local pay phone can contact Anthony Bush on 01432 260611; or email: abush@herefordshire.gov.uk or write to him at Herefordshire Council, Plough Lane, PO Box 4, Hereford, HR4 0XH.