Members of the public have been asked to comment on BT’s plans to remove 178 public payphones across the Highlands.
Highland Council has launched an online consultation in response to the proposals, under regulations set out by the independent regulator Ofcom.
The local authority is encouraging people to study the proposed changes and comment, providing as much information as possible.
A two-stage consultation will take place in line with Ofcom guidelines.
The first stage will invite comments on the proposed removals, and a first notice of decision will be published outlining the council’s initial position on the proposed removals.
Communities and stakeholders will then be asked to consider this first notice of decision and will be given further opportunity to comment on the proposed changes.
Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson said it was important to be clear that these are BT’s proposals, adding: “It’s important that as many people as possible reply to the survey so that we can build an accurate picture of individuals’ and community views and needs.
“I urge members of the public to respond to the consultation. People living in the areas of proposed closures are in the best position to know the impact the removal of a payphone would have on them and their community.”
The first stage of the consultation, which is open until 5pm on October 24, is available at
http://consult.highland.gov.uk/portal/dp/teleconsult/payphoneconsult
An interactive map showing the location of the public payphones up for removal is available at
http://highland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=d0378d4b8d9542189a56bf357f677cc9
For more information please contact the Highland Council Policy Unit at policy6@highland.gov.uk or phone 01463 702006.
