Caithness civic leader dismayed at state of vandalised Wick phone kiosk
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CAITHNESS civic leader Willie Mackay was "horrified" by the vandalism of a Wick telephone kiosk which is earmarked for closure by BT.
He pointed out that following a previous review the phone box at the town's Bignold Park had been left for use as an emergency facility for people in the area with a poor mobile signal.
After seeing the extent of the damage, the Wick and East Caithness Highland councillor said: "I was horrified at the destruction and vandalism of the kiosk. If this is the behaviour of vandals then the box has got to go."
Councillor Mackay also explained that as part of the consultation BT is offering traditional red heritage phone boxes to the public for £1 through its Adopt a Kiosk scheme.
He said these boxes can be turned into useful community facilities.
"There are successes where communities have installed defibrillators which could save a person's life at a time of a cardiac arrest," Councillor Mackay said. "Some have even been turned into information points, art galleries and small libraries."
Three Caithness telephone kiosks are at risk in the latest review being undertaken by BT. The other two are at Dunnet and Braemore, near Dunbeath. Councillor Mackay plans to visit them as well.
The three kiosks in Caithness are among a number earmarked for closure as part of a Highland-wide review. More than 100 are at risk, including over 10 in Sutherland at places including Armadale, Skerray and Durness.
The telecommunications giant has stressed it is consulting with the public before making any decision but points out that use of public telephones has plummeted by 90 per cent in the past 10 years.
The move comes a year after after the company launched its previous consultation on removing 110 payphones in the Highlands. That exercise resulted in 163 representations being made region-wide.
At that time, the company agreed to leave lifeline phones or those in areas where mobile reception was poor.
BT said the need for payphones in emergencies is reducing as 98 per cent of the UK has either 3G or 4G coverage.
