Opposition grows to removal of Phone Boxes

11.24.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 22nd Jun 2008

Trevor at Holt Phone Box

BT has announced plans to remove 42 telephone boxes in West Wiltshire. 6 of these can be removed without consultation as there are other boxes nearby, but the other 36 have to go through a formal consultation period ending in June.

This is part of a national programme to remove phone boxes, which are seen as being increasingly redundant as mobile phone use increases.

Broughton Gifford, Holt and Hilperton parish councils have strongly objected to the removal of the phone boxes in their respective villages.

Here's a list of the boxes BT want to remove, with the number of calls for the past 12 months, and the response of the council to the proposal:

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Near The Post Office, Middle Stoke, Limpley Stoke, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Outside St Quentin, Hawkeridge Rd, Yarnbrook, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Bradford Rd, Trowbridge, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Hilperton Phone Box

Greenhill Gardens, Hilperton, 168 - OBJECT

1. This phone box is used by older people living in sheltered accommodation at Greenhill Gardens.

2. Phone box not subject to vandalism, so maintenance costs low.

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Junction of Silver St & Kingsdown Rd, Trowbridge, 556 - OBJECT

1. This is a fairly deprived area.

2. Residents object to the loss of this well-used phone box

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At The Crossroads, Wingfield Rd, Trowbridge, 1 - no objection to removal.

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Opposite The Three Lions, The Street, Holt, Trowbridge, 842 - OBJECT

1. Phone box is next to social housing where mostly older people live. There is a high proportion of people aged 65+ in Holt ward (23% of the population); this is 40% higher than in England.

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Broughton Gifford Phone Box

Centre of Village, Broughton Gifford, 98 - OBJECT

1. This box is particularly valued by older and younger members of the community. There is a higher proportion of people aged 65+ in Atworth and Whitley ward; at 20% of the population, this is 25% higher than in England (16%)

2. Frequent power cuts meant the phone box can sometimes be the only communication facility, as many home phones now rely on an electricity supply.

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Junction of Forest Rd, Lowbourne, Melksham, 8 - no objection to removal.

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Norrington Common, Broughton Gifford, 33 - OBJECT

1. This is a sparsely-populated area. Anyone needing to make an emergency call would not have easy access to an alternative phone.

2. Frequent power cuts mean the phone box can sometimes be the only communication facility, as many home phones now rely on an electricity supply.

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Outside Atworth Post Office, Bath Rd, Atworth, 186 - OBJECT

1. This village contains 200 residents over 65 who use mobiles less, and are more likely to need a phone box. There is higher proportion higher proportion of people aged 65+ in Atworth and Whitley ward; at20% of the population, this is 25% higher than in England(16%)

2. The phone box is on a busy road (A365), and needed for needed for needed for emergency calls. It is also next to a bus stop.

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Corsham Rd, Whitley, Melksham, 2 - no objection to removal.

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Outside Nos 50/51, Addison Rd, Melksham, 2 - no objection to removal.

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Longford Rd, Melksham, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Opposite 39 Farleigh Rise, Monkton Farleigh, 73 - no objection to removal.

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Centre of village, Lower South Wraxall, 17 - OBJECT

1. Social housing nearby.

2. Poor mobile network coverage because of village's isolation.

3. Sited on well-used road linking Bath and Bradford-on-Avon. Could be needed for emergency calls.

4. If South Wraxall's other phone box (see below) is removed, this one will be needed even more.

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South Wraxall, 22 - no objection to removal.

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Hawkeridge, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Stormore, Dilton Marsh, 6 - no objection to removal.

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Junction of Eden Vale Rd & Oldfield Park, Westbury 'Excessive history of vandalism' 1198 - OBJECT

1. One of the most socially-deprived areas in Westbury.

Near Matravers School and a bus stop. Many pupils call their parents from this box when a bus does not arrive; this is essential, particularly on dark evenings, for their safety.

3. Poor mobile network coverage.

4. A nearby phone box at 1 Oldfield Park will be removed with no consultation, which will exacerbate the problem if this one, too, is removed.

5. This box is well-used. Please could BT make it more vandal-proof?

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Lane End, Corsley, 0 - no objection to removal.

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High Street, Bulkington, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Melbourne St, Bratton, Westbury (two boxes according to BT), 512 - OBJECT

1. In fact there is only one phone box here, so the 512 calls p.a. are from one box not two, and represent a substantial use by villagers.

2. There are many older people in the village who do not have mobile phones.

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Great Hinton, 10 - no objection to removal.

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A350 Layby Nr West Ashton, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Woodcock Rd, Warminster 'Excessive history of vandalism' 1261 - OBJECT

1. On edge of social housing estate. Warminster East ward has a 33% higher rate of social and private rented housing than England as a whole; over a third of the population (36% compared to 27% in England) live in private or social rented housing, and are less able to afford their own phones.

2. Very close to 1,500-pupil comprehensive school.

3. On busy road, with higher-than-average number of traffic incidents

4. Well-used (1,261 calls p.a.), indicating real need for this service. Perhaps the phone could be made vandal-proof?

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Corner Wilson Sq (barracks), Imber Rd, Warminster, 79 - OBJECT

1. A 700-strong Battalion is based here, together with their families; they may have special need of phone box.

2. Poor mobile coverage because of the Ministry of Defence control mast.

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Sambourne Rd, Warminster, 'Excessive history of vandalism' 933 - OBJECT

1. Very close to school.

2. On edge of social housing estate.

3. On busy road with higher than average number of traffic incidents.

4. Well-used (933 calls p.a.), which indicates real need for this service.

5. Removing phone box will severely affect the most vulnerable members of the community.

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At The Green, Tytherington, 2 - no objection to removal.

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High St, Heytesbury, 279 - OBJECT

1. Poor mobile phone reception, because of proximity to Ministry of Defence control mast.

2. Phone box is important means of communication for this village.

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Norton Bavant, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Gentle St, Horningsham, 0 - no objection to removal.

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Outside The Post Office, Kingston Deverill, 44 - OBJECT

1. Relatively-isolated village with poor transport facilities. Shearwater ward has a low population density, with only 2,546 people living in the ward (2001).

2. No mobile reception at all in the area.

3. There is much horse-riding in the area, and emergency services may need to be contacted after an accident.

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Stockton, 16 - OBJECT

1. Poor mobile phone network coverage.

Corton, 34 - OBJECT

1. Poor mobile phone network coverage.

2. Relatively-isolated village. Mid-Wylye ward has a low population density, with only 2,484 people living in the ward (2001).

3. Calls may represent a lifeline.

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Outside Happy Eater, Hillside, Codford, 55 - OBJECT

1. Fairly isolated village. Mid-Wylye ward has a low population density, with only 2,484 people living in the ward (2001).

2. Sited on the busy A36.

3. Calls may represent a lifeline, especially when the café is closed and there is no other phone.

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The ones to be removed without consultation are:

• opposite Newtown County Junior School, Trowbridge

• outside the Post Office in Roundstone Street, Trowbridge

• in Bath Road, Bradford-on-Avon

• outside 1 Oldfield Park, Westbury

• in the forecourt of the Parish Hall, Alfred Street, Coulston

• at the junction of Highbury Park and Boreham Road, Warminster

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Local organisations and members of the public now have a further period to respond to these proposals. If you have any comments please put these in writing to Diana Jones, policy officer, West Wiltshire District Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge BA14 0RD or via e-mail at djones@westwiltshire.gov.uk no later than 4pm on Wednesday 16 July.

West Wiltshire Council will consider these responses and make final recommendations, published as a Final Notice, by 8 August. Any phone boxes whose removal the Council then objects to will remain until their future is decided by the Competition Appeals Tribunal.