Opposition to BT plans to remove phone boxes

3.52.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Jul 2008

Local residents with Parish Councillor Mark Dunningham and B&NES Councillor Neil Butters (right and far right) at the Midford phone box on the busy B3110.

Parish and B&NES Councillors and local residents are joining in opposition to plans by BT to remove the public call boxes from the villages of Midford and Shoscombe.

Local B&NES Councillor Neil Butters (Liberal Democrat, Bathavon South) commented, "The loss of local services is a serious problem for rural communities and phone boxes are a service to the local community along with post offices and local shops.

"BT say they need to cut costs associated with call boxes which are little used, and claim that the increase in mobile phone ownership means that fewer call boxes are needed, but this is not always the case - not everyone has access to a mobile phone and Midford is on a main road so the box can be a lifeline for stranded motorists. Closures should be considered on a case-by-case basis."

Chair of South Stoke Parish Councillor Mark Dunningham attended the meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council's Enterprise and Economic Development O&S committee on 15th July. He added:

"Usage of call boxes does seem to have dropped off markedly in recent years, but one of the problems we have in Midford is that O2 is the only mobile network that has good coverage due to the topography - all the others do not. I believe that if BT has an obligation to provide 'adequate coverage' there is a reason for them not to close this particular box."