For the attention of Haydon Wick Ward residents.
Consultation on BT programme of intended public payphone removals
BT has instigated a public consultation on their proposals to remove 24 payphone callboxes within the Borough. Notices have been posted in each of the relevant phone boxes to inform users and passers-by of the proposals and the consultation process.
The following location has been identified as a potential candidate for removal.
Location: Bryony Way
Postcode: SN2 2SJ
No. of calls: 16
The details of this consultation are currently on the SBC website. Responses should be sent to either forwardplanning@swindon.gov.ukor Forward Planning, Swindon Borough Council, Wat Tyler West House, 5thfloor, Beckhampton Street, Swindon SN1 2JG.
BT offers 3 possible responses to the proposal to remove a callbox:
- Agree to the removal
- Adopt the callbox. Where the local callbox is a traditional red phonebox, BT are encouraging communities to purchase for £1 in order to use the box for the benefit of the local community benefits eg as a library. Further information on this process can be found in the document attached and at: https://bt.com/adopt
- Object to the removal. Ofcom Regulations state that BT has a duty to provide ‘reasonable geographic access to public call boxes’ and offer the following as relevant factors to consider in relation to each callbox:
- Whether the area in which the box is located has a relatively high proportion of people on low incomes or in rented properties who could be less likely to have access to mobile or fixed line telephones.
- Whether the area requires a phone box for emergency calls, perhaps near an accident black spot or near to a community facility.
- Whether the area has poor or sporadic mobile network coverage.
- The level of call volumes made from callbox which can give an indication as to its usefulness or value to the community.
A case will need to be argued for each objection, backed up with evidence.
