Council engaged in bid to stop disconnection of four BT pay phones

CITY council bosses are planning to oppose the removal of four public telephone boxes in Exeter.

BT wants to remove the pay phones because it claims there has been a big drop in the number of people using them.

The kiosks are in Legion Way, Alphington; Little Johns Cross Hill, between Dunsford Gardens and Barley Lane; Bad Homburg Way in Marsh Barton; and Clyst Road in Topsham.

The company claims that the growing use of mobiles means there is far less demand for pay phones.

But some residents living near the boxes said they were unhappy about the plans to remove them.

BT is required to provide adequate coverage of public pay phones.

If there are no other pay phones within 400 metres, it must carry out a full consultation with the local council to gain permission to remove boxes.

Exeter City Council is due to discuss the proposed removal of the phones at a meeting on Monday.

In a report to councillors, the authority raises concern about the removal of the phone boxes, three of which are located in residential areas.

It also points out that the boxes occupy roadside positions and could be used to make emergency calls.

Francis Cregan, a 17-year- old student who lives close to the Alphington phone box, will miss it if it goes.

He said: “I often rely on this pay phone when I run out of mobile phone minutes. I also know that elderly residents use this phone.”

Stephen Scaife, of Church Road, Alphington, has sent a letter of objection to BT as he does not have a landline or a mobile he can use instead.

He also claimed that the phone box had been out of order for a long time and that BT had failed to fix it, despite being notified.

However, members at the Royal British Legion club in Alphington, which is directly opposite the phone box, said they weren't opposed to its removal.

Club secretary Maureen Hurford said: “We have our own pay phone at the club and most of our members have mobiles, so the loss of the phone booth wouldn't make any difference to us.” Jason Mann, a spokesman for BT, said: “In recent years, the needs of consumers have changed drastically, with the increase in mobile phone ownership leading to a complete change in the communications culture throughout the UK.

“The number of calls made from BT pay phones has more than halved in the last three years.

“Our view is that if a kiosk is no longer needed we remove it as part of an initiative across the UK.

“But if there is a clear social need, the kiosk will not be removed.”