Caithness public payphones among those at risk
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PUBLIC telephone boxes in Caithness are among a list of 110 that BT is proposing to remove.
The earmarked facilities include those at Main Street in Lybster, Provost Sinclair Road in Thurso and Crescent Street in Halkirk as well as Dunnet post office.
Public opinion is being sought by Highland Council on the proposal, with an online consultation launched on Tuesday.
Caithness civic leader Willie Mackay, who represents Wick and East Caithness, said: “There is no doubt that since mobile phone technology has swept the nation there are very few making use of the last remaining telephone boxes.
"During the last announcement to remove nearly all the boxes in Caithness there was a consultation period where BT listened to constituents who were experiencing low or no mobile phone signals and agreed to leave a box where this was the case."
Councillor Mackay often visits out-of-the-way parts of the county with his AI Cattle Breeding business and says there are "still a few pockets without a reception".
He added: "My message to constituents who are going to experience communication difficulties, whether with their home line or low mobile signals, and have a threatened telephone box nearby which could be taken away, is to please voice your concerns."
Commenting about the proposal on social media, many said they had not used a public telephone in years but others said that the payphones could save lives if an emergency call was needed.
Alistair Easthope from Bettyhill said he thought that "very few" boxes are probably used on the whole. "My biggest concern is for the very remote ones in areas of poor mobile coverage. They may only get a couple of uses a year but one of them could save a life."
Norman Shaky Thomson from Wick said: "I would agree the need for them in poor mobile coverage areas. BT could be doing more to cover these areas with mobile cover which would save them money for the need to have and maintain these telephone boxes."
Oakley Cundall from Latheron said that "most [public phones] don't seem in a functional condition across Caithness" anyway.
Regulation set out by Ofcom, the independent regulator, states that local authorities have the responsibility to co-ordinate consultations to gather views about proposed payphone removals.
The council is encouraging members of the public to look at BT’s proposals and comment, giving as much information as possible. To comply with Ofcom guidelines the council will undertake a two-stage consultation in which communities and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to object or agree to the proposed changes. The first stage will invite comments on the proposed removals.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson said: “Let’s be clear that this is BT’s proposals that we are consulting on and Highland Council is keen to know public opinion on all of these phones.
“It’s important that as many people as possible reply to the survey so that we can build an accurate picture of individuals’ and community views and needs."
Following the first stage, a first notice of decision will be published which will outline Highland Council’s initial position on the proposed removals. Communities and stakeholders will then be invited to consider the first notice of decision and then be given a further opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.
Councillor Davidson added: “I urge members of the public to respond to the consultation. People living in the areas of proposed closures are in the best position to know the impact the removal of a payphone would have on them and their community.”
The first stage of the consultation is available at https://www.highland.gov.uk/consultations and will be open until September 18.
For further information or questions about the consultation, contact the Highland Council policy unit at policy6@highland.gov.uk or phone 01463 702 006.
