BT plans to remove 61 payphones across Shropshire, including eight near Oswestry. Thirteen red boxes face removal.
Removal could happen after the consultation. Town or parish councils could keep red boxes if they adopt them for community use. Modern booths can stay, especially for housing defibrillators.
Eight phone boxes near Oswestry are set to go; these are modern-style kiosks. These kiosks are at Welsh Frankton and Middleton Road. Also, School Lane, Trefonen will lose a phone, and Maesbury Marsh and West Place, Gobowen are impacted. Two are on Station Road, Weston Rhyn. Nantmawr’s Post Office will also lose theirs. Another phone box may go in Baschurch.
Council leader Lezley Picton spoke about the planned removal, mentioning that the consultation was extended due to local elections and now ends June 12. Councils can adopt red kiosks and use them for community services, while modern ones could house defibrillators. People can also share feedback with the council.
Share feedback if a payphone should remain. Local flooding issues could affect the decision. People use payphones for helplines and for emergency calls, raising concerns because some people lack mobile phones.
Council officers will collect all views and issue a draft view after May 1. New councillors can then provide their feedback, and this input will inform the final representations to BT.
Red phone boxes face threat at addresses including Kinsley Road, Knighton; Boraston, Tenbury Wells; and Greete, Ludlow. Also affected are addresses such as Stanbrook Road, Tenbury Wells; Clee St. Margaret, Craven Arms; High Street, Bishops Castle; and Church Street, Clun. The list continues with Wistanstow, Craven Arms; Rushbury, Church Stretton; Marshbrook, Church Stretton; Holdgate, Much Wenlock; Worfield, Bridgnorth; and Quatt, Bridgnorth.