Phone kiosks are to be replaced

Some telephone kiosks in Stirling city centre could be replaced with hi-tech updated versions.

New World Payphones’electronic communications network in Stirling has nine kiosks - at 2 Baker Street, 84 Murray Place, 37 and 80 Port Street, 47 King Street and 41 Dumbarton Road.

However, they now want to replace them with a single kiosk in the first four locations and have submitted a series of applications to Stirling Council planners.

The kiosks would include an integrated digital advertising display.

In 2017 the planners approved the advertising element but NWP, which operates a network of around 2000 telephone kiosks across the UK, says the latest submission would“refresh” this and secure necessary planning consent for the kiosk structures.

In a submission to the planners, NWP said:“the kiosks, which date back to the 1990’s, are tired-looking structures and outmoded in terms of their telephony equipment.”

They added that there has also been historic problems with anti-social behaviour and lack of access for people with mobility impairments.

“These factors notwithstanding,” they said,“the kiosks are in use, with most calls made to mobile and 0800 numbers, including the emergency services.

“With the advent of the mobile phone, however, the use of public telephone boxes has declined and the prospect of rationalising the existing network has presented itself, along with the opportunity of improving and decluttering the public realm.

“The new kiosks will feature enhanced electronic communication services and the upgrade and removal process will be part funded by revenues from advertising.”

The company has offered to partner with‘trees for Cities’to plant a tree in a location to be agreed with the council for every kiosk proposed for upgrade. It also says the advertisement display is intended not only for commercial use, but as a platform for a range of messages, to include information for local residents and visitors regarding local services, events and news. Subject to agreement, therefore, they will let the council use the advertisement display, with one 10 second slot per hour, for free.

Each of the new kiosks would have: a new telephone system with the ability to accept credit/debit card, contactless and/or cash payment; a 24-inch LCD display providing an interactive wayfinding capability; equipment for the provision of Wi-fi access points and/ or equipment for the provision of public small-cell access nodes; location-based information; and, on the reverse side, an LCD display for advertising purposes.

Council planners are expected to make a recommendation o in due course.