BT Payphone Consultation - 194 Payphones In Highland To Go

30th April 2008

BT is proposing to remove 194 payphones from the network in Highland. BT say the increase in mobile telephone ownership has resulted in the number of calls made from payphones in the last three years being halved and therefore believes that there is a need for them to re-examine payphone provision.

Under Ofcom regulations, the local authority has the responsibility of facilitating the consultation with the local community on these proposals. The Highland Council is therefore encouraging anyone, who wishes to respond to the consultation, to contact the Council with their comments. The timescales for responding have been set down by BT and are governed by Ofcom Regulations and are as follows:-

The Council will receive responses on the consultation up until 30 May.
The Council will then publish initial responses received on its website on 4 June at which point the public will have a further month to respond.
A report will be considered by the full council on 26 June.
Final responses must be received by 4 July.
The Council stresses that the public should be aware that BT requires evidence and justification for any objection to the removal of a call box and encourages anyone who wishes to respond to provide justification for why a particular phone box should be retained -for example no mobile phone coverage within an area.

Convener Councillor Sandy Park said: "In many areas of the rural Highlands, the BT payphone is a lifeline service. Not everyone carries a mobile phone and not every part of the Highlands has mobile phone coverage. We are keen to hear from the public and we will reflect their views in the submission to BT."

All responses to the consultation should be passed in writing to:

Alison Clark, Policy Officer, Chief Executive's Office, The Highland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness IV3 5NX. Alison.Clark[AT]highland.gov.uk

A full list of the payphones proposed for removal can be found at the home page of the Council's web site www.highland.gov.uk

Alternatively, people can telephone BT's free-phone number to check whether a call box is on the consultation list. The number is: 0800 661 610.

The Caithness Phone Boxes that are proposed to be removed are -

Caithness Wards
01593721218
1pco, Main St, Lybster
KW3 6AE
Caithness Wards
01593721245
Post Office, Occumster, Lybster
KW3 6AU
Caithness Wards
01593731200
1pco, Dunbeath
KW6 6EA
Caithness Wards
01593731219
1pco, Dunbeath
KW6 6EN
Caithness Wards
01593741211
1pco, Latheronwheel, Latheron
KW5 6DW
Caithness Wards
01593741212
1pco, Latheron
KW5 6DG
Caithness Wards
01593751269
1pco, Berriedale
KW7 6HD
Caithness Wards
01847811200
Pco, Reay, Thurso
KW14 7RE
Caithness Wards
01847821200
1pco, Main St, Castletown, Thurso
KW14 8TU
Caithness Wards
01847831200
1pco, Crescent St, Halkirk
KW12 6XN
Caithness Wards
01847831606
Public Call Office, Bridge St, Halkirk
KW12 6XY
Caithness Wards
01847841246
Post Office, Spittal, Wick
KW1 5XR
Caithness Wards
01847841249
1pco, Westerdale, Halkirk
KW12 6UP
Caithness Wards
01847851211
Post Office, Dunnet, Thurso
KW14 8XD
Caithness Wards
01847851258
Post Office, Mey, Thurso
KW14 8XH
Caithness Wards
01847871219
Post Office, Westfield, Thurso
KW14 7QN
Caithness Wards
01847892068
Pco, Provost Sinclair Rd, Thurso
KW14 7AS
Caithness Wards
01847892465
Post Office, Janetstown, Thurso
KW14 7XF
Caithness Wards
01847892991
Pennyland Service Stn, Thurso
KW14 7JU
Caithness Wards
01847893118
1pco, Thurso, Caithness
KW14 8JP
Caithness Wards
01847893379
1pco, St Magnus Rd, Thurso
KW14 7LX
Caithness Wards
01847895780
Pco, Railway Station, Station Square, Thurso
KW14 7DL
Caithness Wards
01955602712
Pco, Harrowhill, Wick
KW1 5BW
Caithness Wards
01955602943
1pco, Reiss, Wick
KW1 4RR
Caithness Wards
01955603109
Pco, Pilot Row, Papigoe, Wick
KW1 4RA
Caithness Wards
01955603137
1pco, Haster, Wick, Caithness
KW1 5SX
Caithness Wards
01955611218
1pco, Gills, Canisbay, Wick
KW1 4YB
Caithness Wards
01955611231
1pco, Huna, Wick
KW1 4YL
Caithness Wards
01955611409
1pco, John O Groats, Wick
KW1 4YR
Caithness Wards
01955621200
1pco, Watten, Wick
KW1 5YJ
Caithness Wards
01955621252
1pco, Watten, Wick
KW1 5UW
Caithness Wards
01955631250
1pco, Auckengill, Wick
KW1 4XP
Caithness Wards
01955641222
Pco, Auchorn Square, Bower, Wick
KW1 4TN
Caithness Wards
01955641255
Pco, Kirk, Wick
KW1 4TR
Caithness Wards
01955651229
Pco, Ulbster, Lybster
KW2 6AA
Caithness Wards
01955661232
Pco, Gillock, Wick
KW1 5UR