Phone boxes set to be axed across the district

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Phone boxes set to be axed across the district

Oct 19, 2008

By Nick Lavigueur

THE axe is poised over another batch of traditional red phone boxes after two Huddersfield district parish councils rejected the chance to sponsor them.

The classic pay phones are slowly being removed across the country as BT seeks to cut its operating costs.

But after complaints that the red boxes were of historical importance, BT launched a sponsorship and adoption programme in a bid to transfer the costs to local authorities.

Sponsorship allows councils to maintain the full telephone facilities at a cost of £500 per year.

Or for just £1, councils can adopt a red phone box and retain the empty shell, electricity costs are projected to be less than £20 a year.

A spokesman for BT said: “During the consultation process about removing unprofitable payphones a number of suggestions have been voiced by local people and local government.

‘Authorities wishing to keep boxes will be able to do so’

“We have listened to these suggestions and can now confirm that local authorities that wish to maintain red telephone boxes – minus the telephone equipment – for aesthetic or heritage reasons will be able to.

“In addition, local authorities that have requested to contribute to maintenance costs to retain a red phone box with a working telephone will also be accommodated.”

But the five Kirklees parish councils have shown little enthusiasm for the idea with Denby Dale and Kirkburton, the councils with the most boxes due for the chop, both confirming they have passed on the option.

Just four-years-ago, Denby Dale Parish Council was campaigning to keep loss making phones on Smithy Lane and Station Road in Skelmanthorpe and on Long Lane Road in Clayton West.

At the time Clr Graham Turner said: “There are people who can’t afford a landline or mobile phone and need these phone boxes to maybe ring a doctor. They are penalising the poor and infirm.”

But at a parish council meeting on October 7, there was very little support for the idea and the council voted to let BT remove them.

“They belong in museums,” Clr Kelvyn Waites commented.

The Express & Chronicle approached Meltham, Holme Valley and Mirfield councils but did not receive an answer.

The 14 boxes due to be axed from next month onwards are at: Gunthwaite Lane, Upper Denby. Lower Cumberworth. Long Lane, Clayton West. Cumberworth Road, Skelmanthorpe. Lodge St, Skelmanthorpe. Fulstone, New Mill. Abbey Road, Shepley. North Rd, Kirkburton; Rowley Lane, Kirkburton. Penistone Road, Shelley. Marsh Lane, Shepley. Barnsley Road, Flockton. Helme, Meltham. Hopton Drive, Mirfield.

Source: The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

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