BT bidding to axe the last remaining public payphones in Badenoch and Strathspey

BT is making a renewed bid to axe 11 public payphones across Badenoch and Strathspey five years after being prevented from doing so.

The communications giant is again undertaking a consultation on the removal of 110 public payphones in the Highlands which they contend are no longer needed.

The consultation period is open for 90 days and will close on July 15.

A largely similar list was put forward in 2020 which was considered by Highland Council and rejected.

However, there is a major difference this time out which puts the future of the payphones in grave doubt.

The council had a veto five years ago over the removal of payphones.

However, this is no longer the case as Ofcom’s review of the telephony universal service obligation got rid of the local authority veto.

The figures supplied by BT reveal there were a total of 116 calls from the public payphones at risk which are in Aviemore, Carrbridge, Kingussie, Grantown, Newtonmore, Cromdale, Kincraig, Ralia and Insh.

The telecoms firm states there were no serious incidents in the vicinity of the kiosks and no helpline calls.

The company also says there is no other evidence of ‘reasonable need’ to retain the facilities.

BT also states that all of the payphone facilities are covered by ‘okay’ mobile phone coverage.

The local threatened payphone with the most calls in the past year was Grantown High Street with 26 followed by Aviemore’s Milton Park with 18.

It is thought that the public payphones affected are the only remaining ones in the strath but the Strathy is checking with BT.

The proposals are expected to be discussed by local councillors to see if they wish to endorse Highland Council’s previous position on the affected payphones.

Community councils will also be alerted.

A council spokesperson said: “The intention would be to collate responses and submit a draft response to the consultation for members to consider at the June meeting of the council.”

A BT spokesperson has said that to make sure that the local community is fully informed they have placed notices on the payphones at risk.

They also point out communities can ‘adopt’ phone boxes to turn into something completely different

The company said: “With payphone usage falling, communities are looking at new ways of using them.

“Thousands of boxes have been reinvented as cafes, mini-libraries, and defibrillator sites. Communities can adopt most red boxes for just £1.

“They can also adopt modern glass boxes if they want to house a defibrillator…

“We’ll take account of representations you make about our plans when we’re making our final decision. We’ll also write to with you the reasons for our decision and we’ll also publish the reasons on www.bt.com/payphones/service).

Any questions or representations can be made to btp.authorisation.team@bt.com .

The full list of proposed closures can be seen here.

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