Time running out to protect public phone boxes in Badenoch and Strathspey

Highland Council is reminding the public that time is running out to respond to the second phase of consultation on BT’s 2020 proposal to axe 107 public payphones in the region.

The local authority is seeking final feedback from the public by October 10.

Details, including how to respond can be found at the consultation area of the Highland Council website here .

Regulation set out by Ofcom, the independent communications regulator, means the council has the responsibility to co-ordinate a response to BT.

Following 116 responses to the first phase of the consultation, an initial summary of this feedback has been published online at the council website for further comment.

A local authority spokeswoman said: "The council is encouraging members of the public to look at BT’s proposals and comment, giving as much information as possible about the public call boxes which have been proposed for removal.

"Following the end of the consultation, a final notice of decision will be published online, which will outline Highland Council’s position on the proposed removals."

If Highland Council objects to the removal of a payphone then the telecoms giant is highly unlikely to axe the facility.

Phone boxes across the strath are in the firing line but most have had objections lodged against their loss, however, three in Aviemore were still at risk after the first round of consultation.

The red phone box at Cairngorm Mountain has received the most objections to its removal for the whole of the region.

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