Reasons for removing BT payphones

BT has indicated that overall use of payphones has declined by over 90% in the last decade and the need to provide payphones for use in emergency situations is diminishing all the time with at least 98 per cent of the UK having either 3G or 4G coverage.

This is important because if there is network coverage, it is now possible to call the emergency services, even when there is no credit or no coverage from your own mobile provider.

Phone boxes are not being removed where there is no network coverage, in accident black spots, and other locations which meet social need criteria.

Adopt a kiosk

Local communities can adopt a traditional red ‘heritage’ phone box and make them an asset that local people can enjoy. It costs £1 per phone box. Read BT Adopt a Kiosk for more information.

Payphone removal consultation – August 2021

We recently received notification from BT that Rye Town Council wishes to adopt two public phone boxes within the district. The list of the telephone boxes and their location is as follows:

• Cinque Ports, Rye TN31 7AN.
• The Strand, Rye TN31 7AN.

A consultation was held about the proposal with notices placed in each of the telephone boxes that were proposed for adoption.

The council consulted the local community. A response has been issued to BT about the proposal to adopt the telephone boxes and that response can be seen in the notice below.

Payphone removal consultation – April 2021

We recently received notification that BT wishes to remove three public phone boxes within the district. The list of the telephone boxes and their location is as follows:

• ADJ TWO WHARF COTT THE GREEN PCO1 BODIAM ROBERTSBRIDGE
• OPP DORSET RD SOUTH PCO1 CAVENDISH COURT DE LA WARR PARADE BEXHILL
• PCO PCO1 HASLAM CRESCENT BEXHILL-ON-SEA

A consultation was held about the proposal with notices placed in each of the telephone boxes that were proposed for removal.

The council consulted the local community on three options:

• To agree to the removal.
• To object to the removal.
• To adopt the telephone box for use by the local community.

A response has been issued to BT about the proposal to remove the telephone boxes and that response can be seen in the notice below.