Last call? Payphones facing axe as council ring the changes

More than 20 could disappear from streets but locals can have their say

More than 20 phone boxes that were saved from the axe last year could still be scrapped.

Proposals by BT would see the removal of a further 26 phone boxes in South Lanarkshire – including 23 which were kept following a consultation last year.

Residents will now have until August 21 to put forward their views after South Lanarkshire Council launched a public consultation on the proposals.

Clydesdale would be worst affected by the proposals, with 16 phone boxes facing closure – all of which were initially saved after Councillor Catherine Mcclymont (Clydesdale North), South of Scotland MSP Claudia Beamish and Clydesdale MP David Mundell all raised objections.

Symington and Abington could lose their traditional red phone boxes. However, the local communities would be given the opportunity to adopt them and put them to an alternative use if they were closed.

A further six could be set to go in East Kilbride and Avondale after five were saved last year because there is a higher than average percentage of the population aged over 75.

One each in Hamilton, Blantyre, Rutherglen and Cambuslang are also facing closure.

BT say that the use of public payphones has reduced by 90 per cent over the last decade and that the need for public phones to be used for emergency calls is also reducing substantially.

Earlier last month, notices were posted on each of the payphones earmarked for removal, advising of the proposals.

Objections to a payphone’s removal must have a justification to be considered i.e there is no mobile coverage in a particular area and a payphone is necessary, particularly for emergency situations, or the payphone may be well used by residents or the passing public.

Comments on the proposed removal of payphones can be made by completing an online survey, emailing planning@ southlanarkshire.gov.uk or by writing to Head of Planning and Economic Development, Montrose House, 154 Montrose Crescent, Hamilton ML3 6LB.

With reduced staff in the office due to coronavirus restrictions, South Lanarkshire Council have asked that residents who wish to have their say complete the online survey or email where possible to ensure that their comments are received before the closing date