Council responds to BT’s phone box proposals
After careful consideration of responses to the first phase of consultation the City Council has issued its 'First Notification' to BT today (Tuesday 22 Dec).
In that notification the City Council will object to the removal of 37 out of the 44 phone boxes identified as uneconomic by BT. After consultation with Parish Councils the City Council does not propose to object to the removal of those listed below:
O/S Post Office, Gordon Road, Curdridge, Southampton, SO32 2BE
Jnc Terbourba Way, Outlands Lane, Curdridge, Southampton, SO30 2HD
Pco St Peters Close, Curdridge, Southampton, SO32 2HF
Nr Kytes Lane, Parsonage Lane, Durley, Southampton, SO32 2AD
On Village Green Pco, Old Alresford, Alresford, SO24 9DH
O/S Post Office, Church Lane, Swanmore, Southampton, SO32 2QX
Woodlands, West Meon, Woodlands, Alresford, SO24 OHW
Commenting on the decision, Leader of Winchester City Council Cllr George Beckett said, "We have considered usage levels, the comments of residents and parish councils and the importance of retaining local facilities particularly in rural areas. Whilst we appreciate these phone boxes may be uneconomic for BT, they are important local amenities. The day may come when everyone has a mobile phone, but we are not there yet and so the phone boxes must stay.
"Our process has been robust and consistent with Ofcom guidance and there is now the opportunity for public comment on our First Notification to BT until 22 January 2010, after which our Final Notification will be issued."
Winchester City Council's First Notification is available on www.winchester.gov.uk/BT and includes details of the full criteria used to make the decision.