Press Release

Tuesday 1st July 2008

Public payphones consultation

Residents are being urged to provide comments regarding the British Telecom proposal to remove six public payphones from within the borough that BT say are under used and are earmarked for removal.

As part of a formal consultation process, BT has written to Fareham Borough Council announcing its plans to remove the payphones located in:

• JCT Marks Road / Gosport Road, Stubbington
• Catisfield Lane, Fareham
• Bridge Road, Sarisbury Green
• Barnes Lane, Sarisbury Green
• Old Swanwick Lane. Lower Swanwick
• Yew Tree Drive / Hispano Avenue, Whiteley

Notices were posted in early June by BT inside each of the payphones proposed for removal. Members of the public wishing to comment on the proposed removal of the payphones are asked to respond by 22 August. Responses can be made via www.fareham.gov.uk click on ‘Have your Say’ or in writing to: Head of Democratic Services; Fareham Borough Council, Civic Way, Fareham PO16 7AZ. These comments will be passed onto BT.

BT's letter to the Council states that 99% of UK homes now have a phone at home and 90% have a mobile phone.  There are currently 61,792 public payphones in Britain and 60% no longer cover their costs.  BT state these six phones in the borough of Fareham are now little used.  BT requires justification for any objection to the removal of a payphone, so it is important that comments relate to specific payphones, and are supported by evidence.

Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: "Removing these public payphones would be a great loss to the community. Not everyone has a mobile phone and although they may not be used very often, public payphones do provide an important service. In an emergency, having a payphone nearby could literally mean the difference between life and death.”

Councillor Woodward continues: "That's why it's very important that Fareham residents provide us with the information we need to save these phones. We hope as many people as possible will comment and give us specific reasons why each payphone should stay."

Ends

Notes to editors:

In addition to the six payphones under consultation, BT says it will remove "a number" of public payphones in Fareham which are within 400 metres of another. The company says it is not required to consult on the removal of these phones, and is only advising the Council "out of courtesy".

For Further Information Contact:

Sue Mills, Publicity Officer, tel: 01329 824518

fax: 01329 821518, e-mail: publicity@fareham.gov.uk