PAYPHONE CLOSURE CRISIS CONTINUES

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 14th Oct 2004

Fiona Hall, Lib Dem MEP for the North East, has given a cautious welcome to news from BT over phone box closures in the region

Fiona Hall said:

'BT have taken on board some of the concerns raised. BT have said that they will analyse usage levels and look at whether a callbox is serving a community. They have committed to retaining boxes that are not necessarily heavily used but do serve a genuine need. They have also promised to place on hold closure of the specific phone boxes I drew their attention to to allow further discussion with the local authorities.

Although some of what BT says is good news for the fight against payphone closures, it is more of a temporary reprieve than a satisfactory conclusion to this campaign.

'I will be liaising with local authorities and parish councils to ensure everything is done to safeguard essential payphone services. Following the news this week that local councils have the power to veto kiosk closures if there is no other call box within a 100 metre radius, I will be working closely with council representatives to make sure local objections are made known to BT.'