Phone boxes earmarked for removal

BT said a rise in mobile use has led to a decline in calls from payphones

Telecoms giant BT has proposed removing 192 payphones from its network in the Highland region.

It said an increase in the use of mobiles has led to calls made from phone boxes and payphone points falling by half in the last three years.

Under Ofcom regulations, Highland Council has the responsibility of seeking public views on the review.

The Scottish Conservatives have launched a campaign calling for rural sites to be protected.

The council will take responses from the public up until 30 May.

These will be published on its website on 26 June and a final round of views accepted by 4 July.

Highland Council said BT required "evidence and justification" for any objection to the removal of a call box.

Convener Sandy Park said in many areas a payphone was a lifeline service.

He said: "Not everyone carries a mobile phone and not every part of the Highlands has mobile phone coverage.

"We are keen to hear from the public and we will reflect their views in the submission to BT."

Highlands SNP councillor John Finnie urged communities to fight any plans to remove payphones in their areas.

He said: "It is ridiculous that BT demand that the public has to justify keeping vital call boxes, a basic public service."

The Conservatives are writing to every Scottish local authority advising them which payphones are proposed for removal.

Elizabeth Smith, list MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: "There is no doubt that there has been a fall in the use of public phone boxes as mobile phones have become more popular.

"However, it is important to many local communities to continue to have access to a phone box where mobile phone reception is patchy or non existent, and for those who choose not to have a landline."