Payphones at Ivybank in Newtonmore, the crossroads at Catlodge, Laggan; next to Insh post box and at the Dava have been earmarked for removal by the telecommunications giant.

A total of 165 objections have been made to the proposal to axe the Insh facility but there is no opposition as yet to remove the payphone at Newtonmore. The cut-off point for final responses is this Friday (August 1).

In the countdown, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands Mary Scanlon has met BT bosses to discuss the proposals to remove 194 BT phone boxes from across the region.

Ms Scanlon held discussions with Mr Ian Shanks, Head of Scottish Affairs with BT Scotland, and flagged up some of the community concerns highlighted to her.

She said: "I drew to his attention however that several phone boxes had not been properly maintained and this was a significant factor in them having a low numbers of calls made from them in the last year.

"I also pointed out that there were several of the boxes highlighted for closure which had been used to make over 1,000 calls in the last year, which clearly showed there was a demand, and that these should be retained.

"I think the Highlands have a strong argument for retaining many of our phone boxes given the poor mobile phone coverage in many parts and also the high volumes of tourists we welcome each year.

"Many of these tourists do not have mobile phones which are compatible with the UK networks and therefore these phone boxes are often their only method of making calls while on holiday here."

The initial responses to BT's payphone consultation being complied by Highland Council were published in May.

Locals have called for the phone box at Laggan to be retained because it is near to an accident blackspot, whilst the Kingussie and Dava payphones are close to popular areas for outdoor pursuits and watersports.

Campaigners have said that they could be required for emergency situations.

Mary Scanlon who is fighting to save public phone boxes in the region threatened with removal.

All three boxes are also situated in areas with poor or no mobile phone coverage, objectors have also pointed out.

There have been a total of 79 objection to the plans to remove the payphone at Laggan and 52 complaints over the one on the Dava.

A Highland Council spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that we have received objections to the removal of the payphones at Laggan, Insh and Dava. We will be objecting to BT on the removal of these payphones."

BT bosses has said that the number of calls made from payphones in the past three years in the UK has halved due to an increase in mobile telephone usage, prompting the need for the review.

The council has reiterated that evidence and justification will be required by BT for any objection to the removal of a call box.

Comments will be taken until 5pm and should be made in writing to Alison Clark, policy officer, chief executive's office, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV3 5NX, or by e-mail to Alison.clark@highland.gov.uk.

A full list of the payphones proposed for removal and the initial results can be found on the council's website www.highland.gov.uk.

musgrove_g@spp-group.com

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