BT proposal to remove phone boxes in Aberdeenshire communities consultation opens
Public views are being sought on BT’s plans to remove phone boxes from communities.
The company is looking to get rid of 19 public call boxes (PCB) in Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeenshire Council has launched an online survey where people can provide their views on the proposal.
The phone boxes at Main Street, in Gardenstown; Jubilee Hospital at Bleachfield Street in Huntly; and Main Street in New Deer are among those that have been proposed to be removed.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said: “Views are being sought on the proposed removal by BT of 19 public call boxes in Aberdeenshire.
“Councils can make representations and provide evidence for BT to consider before a final decision is made, if it is felt that there are reasonable grounds to retain a phone box. The consultation will close on Monday, April 28.
“Since 2022, Ofcom has put in place strengthened criteria to protect PCBs from removal where they are still needed.”
The criteria protect a PCB if it is the last remaining in an area - defined as more than 400 metres walking distance from the next nearest PCB, where:
• It does not have coverage from all four mobile network providers; or
• It is located in an area with a high frequency of accidents or suicides; or
• It has made 52 or more calls over the past 12 months - the equivalent of one call per week; or
• There is other evidence of a reasonable need for the PCB.
The local authority spokesman added: “The information from BT listing the PCBs proposed for removal indicates that these PCBs do not meet the criteria for protection.
“Local authorities can make representations and provide evidence for BT to consider before a final decision is made, if it is felt that there are reasonable grounds to retain a PCB.
“It should be noted that the local authority no longer has the right to veto the removal of a PCB.”
Full details of the Ofcom rules about removal of PCBs can be found at Protecting essential phone boxes - Ofcom.
Visit Adopt a Kiosk Scheme | Buy a BT Phone Box | BT Business for more information about this.
The council spokesman said: “We invite individuals and local communities to respond to this consultation if they feel that there is a reasonable need to retain any of the PCBs listed.
“This must be supported by evidence or examples which can be put to BT for consideration before a decision on removal is made.
“Community Councils have already been approached via the area offices and responses received to date have been listed.
“Communities may be interested to know that BT have retained their ‘adopt’ a disused box scheme, where community groups are able to purchase a red telephone box for other uses for £1.”
