Herefordshire Council rejects BT's calls

12:00pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A REQUEST from BT to make taxpayers stump up about £50,000 to save more than 100 phoneboxes in the county has been rejected by Herefordshire Council.

The company has already scrapped one phonebox in Monkland and there are plans to close 110 others.

BT says it does not make enough profit from the boxes and has asked for £500 a year for each one, or they could be scrapped.

But Herefordshire Council rejected the request, saying it is unfair to ask taxpayers to fund the boxes because BT has an obligation under Ofcom regulations to keep them open as people have said they are essential in an emergency.

Alternatively, BT said that iconic red telephone boxes could be allowed to remain once the phones has been removed and adopted by villages.

“Neither solution is really on”, said Adrian Blackshaw, cabinet member for economic regeneration and community services.

“To ask local taxpayers to fund the boxes at £50,000 a year is unacceptable.

BT is shirking its responsibility to provide a service.”

Herefordshire Council has written to all parish councils about the threat and has found that 92 of the boxes are needed. It has also secured a consultation extension with BT to September 26.

Anyone concerned about losing their phone box can call Anthony Bush on 01432 260611.