BT plans to remove 11 payphones in Central Bedfordshire
Tuesday, 3 October 2023
We have received notice from BT that a review has identified 11 public payphones in the area as being no longer needed.
BT has evaluated these payphones based on the criteria outlined in Ofcom's Review of the telephony universal service obligation. Notices have been affixed to these payphones, and we are expected to provide a formal response to BT by November 14th.
In the past, if the local authority expressed opposition to BT's plan to eliminate a payphone, BT couldn't proceed with the removal. However, the guidelines have been updated, and the authority's ability to veto such removals has been removed.
Since we no longer holds decision-making authority in this matter, its unable to conduct a formal consultation. Instead, it’s conducting an engagement survey to gather the opinions of local communities regarding the proposals. This survey will help us gather evidence to shape our response.
The list of the payphones that BT are planning to remove include:
- O/S PO PCO2 Hitchin Road, Henlow Camp, Henlow, SG16 6DP – 01462811018
- O/S Lemon Plaice PCO1 Ampthill Road, Shefford, SG17 5AZ – 01462811085
- PCO1 Greenway Campton, Shefford, SG17 5BN – 01462811190
- Adjacent to the Police Station PCO1 Watling Street, Hockliffe, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 9NB – 01525210261
- PCO PCO1 Birds Hill, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 0AD – 01525237211
- PCO PCO1 Hazelwood Lane, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2EY - 01525402176
- PCO PCO1 Hinksley Road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1ES – 01525714075
- Junction Denell Close, PCO1 road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1AZ – 01525714717
- PCO BT PCO Russell Centre, Coniston Road, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 1QY – 01525715200
- Junction Windsor Drive, PCO1 Lowry Drive, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5SJ – 01582865310
- Village Hall PCO1 Common Road, Studham, Dunstable, LU6 2NQ – 01582872181
Local communities also have the opportunity to adopt a traditional red ‘heritage’ phone box and make it an asset that local people can enjoy. Adopting a phonebox could mean that the town or parish council, or a registered charity could adopt a given phonebox and retain it for an alternative community use. Some examples of how phone boxes have been used include housing defibrillators, art galleries and libraries. Communities can adopt most red boxes for just £1. They can also adopt modern glass boxes if they want to house a defibrillator.
The survey is open from Monday 2 October until Sunday 29 October 2023.
Read more and have your say on the proposed removal of BT payphones.