Harrogate Borough Council
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Harrogate Council objects to BT's proposals to remove 50 payphones across the district
3 September 2008: HARROGATE
Borough Council is writing to British Telecom to object in
the strongest possible terms to proposals that could result in 50
pay phone boxes being removed from across the
district.
As well as objecting on emergency and safety issues as many of
these phones are in remote rural areas with limited mobile coverage
the council joins others in objecting on heritage grounds.
Councillor Nigel Simms, Vice-Chairman of the council's
Planning Committee, says that whilst it is accepted that the
increase in mobile phone ownership may have resulted in a decrease
in the number of calls from pay phones, this district has a
disproportionate number of elderly persons living in remote
locations who would rely on a BT phone box for emergency
calls. He added: "The Office
of Communications (Ofcom) places a responsibility on local councils
to canvass the views of the local community. We
have done that, from local residents, to Members of Parliament and
Parish Councils and the police. We have found
none to be in agreement with these
proposals.
"We accept that BT must put up a valid business case but in
our letter of objection we will be asking them to consider leaving
them in situ, converting some with low usage to card only calls or
to emergency service only calls. This will
remove some of the costs from BT but more importantly will make our
more rural communities feel secure in their
homes. There is varied mobile coverage in our
rural and rugged landscape and we all know that most elderly people
do not want to use new technology."
The council is also objecting on heritage grounds and is
urging English Heritage to list the traditional K6 phone boxes
those showing the King George V Crown where they are located in the
Conservation Areas.
"Our plans are to press ahead with this request for listing
and, whilst it is more difficult to get listed states outside
Conservation Areas, we feel it is justified in the Nidderdale Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty and we will also be asking English
Heritage to consider those boxes for listing too, added Councillor
Simms. "Many of those responding to the
consultation said that these traditional boxes are part of our
heritage and indeed many said locals cherish them."
The council is also disappointed that BT has chosen to suggest
councils consider sponsoring the boxes and where a phone is left in
that they pay an annual fee of £500.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Gardner,
added: "I think it is scandalous that BT have
chosen to make this suggestion before the closing date of the
consultation which is 6 September. We, like
parish councils, are also confused about what they are actually
suggesting which was made via the press and we are making further
enquiries. It may be that some of the parish
councils will wish to 'sponsor' a phone box but first we must do
all we can to make sure that BT listen to our objections before any
final decisions are made."
BT has confirmed that it is looking at removing other phone
boxes across the district where two are located within 400
metres. BT does not have a duty to consult in
these circumstances. ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT Lynne Mee, Communications and Media
Manager on 01423 556022 or email lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk Copies
of the full report which lists the 50 phone boxes and details the
council's recommendation is available from Lynne.