Ringing the changes
A Bellshill man suspected of planning a theft was jailed for two months at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
James Campbell, 34, of Bruce Street, admitted being found outside a property in Greenmoss Place, Bellshill, without lawful authority on August 23.
More than 30 phone boxes in South Lanarkshire could be closed if plans by BT go ahead.
A consultation has been carried out in conjunction with the council to ascertain whether any of the 36 earmarked should be protected from the axe.
And nine of the under-threat boxes are in Hamilton, Larkhall and Blantyre.
Clydesdale could see payphone services decimated, with 21 of the proposed closures in the area.
However, five of those haven’t been used in over a year.
Another six in East Kilbride Avondale are also set to close.
No payphones in Rutherglen and Cambuslang would be affected.
BT have said that they will not close phone boxes where there is a lack of mobile phone coverage.
As long as there is network coverage, it is still possible to call the emergency services even when there is no coverage from your own mobile provider or if you have no credit.
Some well-used phone boxes – including Clarkwell Road in Hamilton and Low Waters Post Office which are all used on average more than once every day – may also be closed.
Cllr Mark Mcgeever’s Hamilton West and Earnock ward includes two phone boxes which could close, at Fleming Way and Clarkwell Road. The Liberal and Democrat councillor said: “We can all understand the vast majority of people now have mobile phones and there is far less demand for public phone boxes.
“That said, the figures for last year show a significant number of calls were actually made from the two boxes proposed to be removed from my ward.
“Residents have expressed concern that they would be missed by the minority of people who don’t have a phone.
“It’s important that public phone boxes are only removed where it is clear they really are not needed.
“The decision to take a phone box away should never be about avoiding the cost of maintaining a local facility that is used.”
Other reasons BT have said that would justify keeping phone boxes include payphones that are used by residents or the passing public or if it is located close to an accident blackspot.