33 Local Public Phone Boxes Under Threat
Sunday, May 16th, 2004Local campaigner, Justine McGuinness has found out that at least 33 public phone boxes across West Dorset are in danger of being axed by BT. Local residents have only got 10 days left to voice any concerns about losing their village pay phone. BT Payphones are currently consulting on the closure of phone boxes in villages such as Nettlecombe, near Bridport.
BT will not guarantee that the boxes at the neighbouring villages of Powerstock and West Milton will not be axed as well. Liberal Democrat County Councillor, Gil Streets and West Dorset campaigner, Justine McGuinness, are very concerned about the potential loss of these vital rural services.
Justine McGuinness commented: “Following the loss of the Post Office and shop in Nettlecombe, the loss of phone-boxes would be a disaster. This is the one service the village still has. People with mobile phones probably think they do not need a pay phone, but I have tried several different mobiles in the Nettlecombe area – none of them get a signal. I think BT should at least guarantee that one of the three villages retains a phone box.”
Cllr Gil Streets added “I know that most mobile phones do not get a signal in Nettlecombe. So public phone-boxes are important for residents and for the many visitors who come to enjoy the beautiful countryside around Powerstock.”
Justine McGuinness commented: “Local residents and people concerned about the closure of any of the phone boxes on the ‘condemned’ list have only got until 25 May to voice their concerns to BT.”
Anyone concerned about the closure of phone boxes should write to BT Pay Phones saying why you think that the public phone box should not be removed. Write to BT Payphones, PP 06A21, Delta Point, Wellesley Road, CROYDON CR9 2YZ, quoting the number of the phone box, or email: btp.authorisation.team@bt.com, by 25 May. The number for the Nettlecombe phone box is 01308 485 258.
