British Telecom’s plans to remove several telephone boxes in the Burnham-On-Sea area as part of a cost-cutting programme have this week been criticised by town councillors.
Burnham-On-Sea.com was first to report in June that call boxes in Rectory Drive (pictured) and the Walrow in Highbridge are under threat because, according to BT, they are used too infrequently.
Burnham and Highbridge town councillors this week decided they would send a formal objection to BT, protesting against the plans.
“In the case of Rectory Drive, this is a very densely populated area and our proposal is to object to BT,” said Burnham’s Mayor Peter Clayton at this week’s council meeting.
Cllr Chris Williams added: “I would be very unhappy to see these boxes go, especially the one in Walrow.”
Other local boxes that could be removed include Penmoor Road in Berrow, The Causeway at Mark, East Brent in Highbridge, and another at Basonbridge.
Official statistics show the Walrow kiosk was used 48 times over the last year, while the Rectory Drive kiosk was used just nine times.
Sedgemoor District Council is encouraging the public to give feedback on the plans and has started a web page here that lists the type of evidence which will help the authority make a case against any removal.
The public can also contact the council’s Julie Cooper, who is dealing with the matter, by email at Julie.cooper@sedgemoor.gov.uk. The deadline for the council to receive comments is Monday September 8th.
A BT spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are committed to providing a payphone service but overall kiosk usage has halved in the last two years.”
“Before removing any kiosk with no alternative payphone within 400m we write to the local authority to obtain consent.”
