British Telecom (BT) has indicated its possible intention to decommission three “underutilized” payphones located in different parts of the Brighton and Hove. The company is keen on garnering public sentiment regarding this decision, and the city council has started the process of collecting residents’ feedback.
The council has encourage all residents to participate actively and voice their opinions on the suggested removal of these phone kiosks.
Details of the Payphones in Question:
- 01273 420676: Outside 374 Portland Road, Hove BN3 5SD (usage: under one call monthly)
- 01273 508075: Junction of London Road, outside 2 Surrenden Crescent, Brighton BN1 6WF (usage: under one call monthly)
- 01273 540390: Preston Resort Hotel vicinity, 216 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 6UU (usage: around one call monthly)
Please note: The payphones in question are contemporary kiosks, not the classic red telephone boxes which are mainly situated in the city centre.
How to Share Your Opinion:
- Via email: Send your feedback by Thursday, 7 September to planning.comments@brighton-hove.gov.uk. Use ‘Phone box removal – 07/2023’ as the subject and mention the specific phone number you’re referencing.
- Postal method: Address your letters to the Head of Planning, City Development and Regeneration, Hove Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ.
Local ward councillors will also be informed of the suggestions.
Insights on Payphone Usage from BT: Over the last ten years, payphone usage has witnessed a sharp decline, plummeting by over 90%. The urgency for emergency-use payphones is constantly dwindling, given that roughly 98% of the UK boasts mobile coverage.
Recent studies by Ofcom highlight a declining reliance on payphones, with many no longer considering them essential. It’s noteworthy that emergency calls can be made as long as there’s mobile network coverage, regardless of the specific mobile network provider’s presence.
