BT ‘lacking integrity’ amid push to remove phone boxes – claim

DUNDEE: Councillor ‘astonished’ at firm’s reason for payphone being under threat

BT has been criticised for attempting to remove “lifeline” phone boxes across Tayside and Fife during a national emergency.

One kiosk on Dalhousie Road in Broughty Ferry is set to axed because it has had zero use in recent months.

However, a local councillor is suggesting this is because the line hasn’t been reconnected and it has “half of its roof missing”.

It is one of 43 payphones earmarked for potential removal across Dundee, Angus and Fife.

The telecoms giant is conducting a public consultation in conjunction with local councils following a similar review last year.

BT says most people now use mobile phones to make emergency calls and insists a payphone will not be removed if a council tells the firm it is needed.

Broughty Ferry Lib Dem councillor Craig Duncan said the timing of the

“These phone boxes could represent a lifeline for those in an emergency situation, particularly for those who do not have a mobile phone

move is wrong. He said: “I find it galling that, in the middle of the health emergency facing the country, BT has seen fit to reintroduce a matter that Dundee City Council had objected to as recently as last September.

“These phone boxes could represent a lifeline for those in an emergency situation, particularly for those who do not have a mobile phone.”

Notices have been placed on boxes by BT explaining they “just aren’t used enough” to continue operating.

The firm asks anyone with concerns to contact their local authority within 42 days.

Mr Duncan added: “I was astonished the company has cited ‘zero use’ as the reason for the Dalhousie Road phone box being under threat.

“The reason there has been no use is the inevitable consequence of the company’s failure to reconnect this phone, which currently also has half its roof missing.

“All of this was previously communicated to BT and it is pretty obvious that a non-functional phone box will record zero calls.

“One has to question the integrity of this entire consultation process.”

BT said the issue with the payphone on Dalhousie Road was not reported and it was now arranging for an engineer to visit.

Picture: Mhairi Edwards. Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan says the timing of the move is wrong.