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The Highland Council has today (Thursday) agreed a response to BT's proposal to remove 107 of the 348 public call boxes from across the Highland area. Under Ofcom guidelines, the Local Authority is responsible for co-ordinating a consultation and responding on behalf of the Highland community.

The Council's response to BT is based upon representations received during two phases of public consultation, the second phase closing on 10 October 2020.

Based upon consultation feedback, the Council has objected to 65 public call boxes being removed and expressed support for a further 3 being ‘adopted' by the local community.

Councillors emphasised the importance of BT's Public Call Boxes across Highland, not least in times of emergency.

Convener Cllr Bill Lobban said: "Local call boxes act as a life-line in our remote rural areas with poor, inconsistent, or sometimes no mobile signal, and for communities experiencing greater levels of poverty, where some may not always be able to afford use of a mobile phone."

Extreme disappointment was expressed by Councillors that, not only is such an exercise is being carried out by BT during a global pandemic but that it also comes 9 months after the conclusion of the previous consultation; 49% of the payphones in the current consultation were previously considered for removal in 2019, at which time clear reasons were given for why they must be retained.

Cllr Lobban added: "I am pleased there was support across the chamber that we send our robust response to BT as I am not at all pleased that this has had to be dealt with so shortly after we previously responded to the consultation last year."

More details on the Council's response can be found at www.highland.gov.uk/consultations

PHOTO

Phone box at Harrowhill, near Bignold Park, Wick destined to be removed in this latest round of removals.

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