Campaign to save red phone boxes

A Somerset councillor is trying to save 42 old-style red phone boxes from being removed.

Ross Henley has written to British Telecom (BT) in protest over the removal of the boxes from rural areas across the Taunton Deane Borough.

Mr Henley said the phone boxes are a public service and "not everyone has a mobile phone. Reception can be poor."

A BT spokesman said the closure of the kiosks was not aimed at rural areas and was based on how much they are used.

He said the use of the kiosks in Taunton Deane has halved in the last two years making the payphones unprofitable.

He explained: "Where we no longer believe a kiosk is needed, then we seek to remove it. This has been the case for a number of years because of the continuing decline in payphone usage."

Mr Henley will investigate whether the old-style red boxes can be listed as a special historical interest and will continue his objection at the council's executive meeting 18 June.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
British Telecom website
Taunton Deane Borough Council
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